No Strings Attached

There is a rare love in our world.  (If you research the types of love, it does not appear in the lists your investigations reveal except when a similar word is used in religious references.)  If you are the recipient of this remarkable love, it remains with you always, even if the giver of this affection is gone.  You simply can't forget it once it touches your life.

Our animal friends, members of our family and our communities, are capable of this love.  Their capacity to love unconditionally is beautiful to witness and receive.  Another individual in our lives is gifted in giving us this same love.  Our toy stuffed animal companions, without ever uttering a word, supply us with unlimited devotion.  Bear Is A Bear (Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, September 14, 2021) written by Jonathan Stutzman with illustrations by Dan Santat is the story of a cherished bear and a special girl.  Without strings, an unbreakable tie is formed. 

Bear is a bear hopeful and shy.

Bear is a bear full of love.  

Bear is there to be a friend, a first friend.  Bear's availability makes Bear handy for multiple uses like as a tissue or the coziest kind of pillow.  Most importantly . . .

Bear is a bear full of love.

Bear is there for pretend parties and dress-up occasions.  Bear sails the high seas with a wild captain.  Bear is there for those scary moments, a champion and comforter.

Bear is there for bold and fearless undertakings.  As a reader and artist, Bear enjoys quiet contemplation and colorful coverings.  Day or night, Bear shares all with infinite care.

Bear's companion, a baby girl, grows into a young woman. Bear never wavers as a steadfast friend until one day, Bear is tucked away.  Bear is saved.  Years pass until what was new and then old is new again.  Some things change, but unconditional love remains.  Always.

For readers, young or old, the words written by Jonathan Stutzman in this story ring true.  Sentence by sentence we are told what Bear is.  These rhythmic refrains are joined by a single constant statement.  The repetition of words and sentence structure used in this narrative embraces readers like a hug.  As the child grows, two of the initial sentences reappear because some things do not change.  Three times, over the decades, in a poetic description, the one thing which alters is Bear's appearance, but like so many things, it is the inside that counts the most.  Here are several sentences.

CRACKOW!

Bear is a brave protector.

Bear is a bear steadfast and snug.

Bear is a bear full of love.

Each time this book is read, readers will find their appreciation for the visual interpretation of the narrative grow.  On the open dust jacket, we see first, on the right, Bear enjoying the book Little Women as Bear's girl draws.  No words are spoken here (ever) between this duo, but their mutual affection is apparent by the strength shown in their physical connection.  Bear is for the girl what the tree is for Bear.

To the left, on the back, on the same color of canvas as the sky on the front, Bear and the girl are together.  Their backs are to readers.  Hand and paw clasped; they are joyfully running toward their next adventure.

On the book case, illustrator Dan Santat has recreated the same scenes as on the front and back of the dust jacket.  There is a noted contrast.  Of this contrast, nothing will be disclosed.  It is for the reader to discover.  

On the opening and closing endpapers a darker golden yellow is displayed for the background.  Fine-lined images in black of a teapot, a teacup and saucer, and the flower shown in the center of the teapot create a repeating pattern.  Only the upper portion of Bear's head is shown on the title page peeking up from the bottom of the page.  On the dedication page toward the bottom is the child's table with two teacups and the teapot ready for a special party.

These illustrations rendered

in watercolor, pencil, and Adobe Photoshop

by Dan Santat are a heartwarming tribute to the words penned by Jonathan Stutzman.  They elevate the narrative with their insight.  The visuals alternate between double-page pictures and single-page pictures to enhance the cadence of the story.

The facial expressions and body postures convey a range of emotions, most importantly they are infused with Bear's love.  Readers are invited to pause with every page turn to notice the details. (I am wondering about the significance of the J, E, and H shown on the wooden blocks.)  Two double-page illustrations depict powerful understandings.  (My eyes fill with tears every time I see one of them.)

One of my many favorite illustrations is for the second time the words

Bear is a soft, warm pillow

are used.  The girl, now a young woman, has graduated from high school.  She and Bear are back at the tree.  Stretched across the lower branches in a colorful array is a banner spelling out CONGRATUALTIONS.  Bear leans against the tree, eyes closed and paws resting on his/her stomach.  Bear wears the girl's graduation cap.  The girl leaning against Bear with her eyes closed is hugging her diploma, a pencil stuck in her hair.  She still wears her gown, but her feet are bare.  There is an unspoken tenderness in this scene.

Bear Is A Bear written by Jonathan Stutzman with illustrations by Dan Santat is a recognition of the unconditional love freely given daily around the world by our toy stuffed animals, especially by this Bear to his/her girl.  It is a verbal and visual celebration of a friendship we all hold in our hearts.  You will want a copy of this title on both your personal and professional bookshelves so it can be shared often and widely.

To learn more about Jonathan Stutzman and Dan Santat and their other work, please follow the link attached to their names to access their respective websites.  Jonathan Stutzman has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  Dan Santat has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  At the publisher's website is a book trailer.  Jonathan Stutzman and Dan Santat chat with librarian, lecturer at Rutgers, and writer John Schumacher on his site, Watch. Connect. Read., about this book.

Likely Lost, Finally Found

First think of your favorite things; those items you consider priceless.  Surely there are a variety of reasons these are cherished possessions.  They may have sentimental value in their representation of a person or an event.  They may be a reminder of a deeper feeling of security and home.  In this respect, for many children nothing is more important than their treasured stuffed toy. 

This cuddly companion is a constant source of comfort.  Without it in their possession they feel incomplete.  The Backup Bunny (North|South Books, March 6, 2018) written by Abigail Rayner with pictures by Greg Stones presents the perspective of a toy wishing to become beloved.

Psst.
Over here.
The name's Fluffy.

Fluffy is currently in a mother's sock drawer.  He's being saved by a wise parent in preparation for the absence of a well-loved toy.  Her son, Max, loves his Bunny.

One day, Fluffy's hopes are fulfilled.  Bunny is missing and he is removed from the sock drawer.  He finds himself given to a crying Max.  At first all is well, Fluffy feels himself being loved.  That lasts only seconds.

Now on the floor after repeated and valiant attempts by Mom, Fluffy is resigned to spending the night with the family cat.  The next day does not go as Fluffy desires.  Finding himself hanging from the clothesline, his frustration grows.  (From that vantage point he also makes a discovery which he keeps secret.)  Fluffy takes action and lands in Max's mud pie.

Unexpectedly, Max decides to befriend Fluffy until bedtime when he simply has to have Bunny.  Fluffy has a choice to make.  The next day Max makes a choice too.  And Mom is simply full of surprises.


By the time you read the first two phrases in this book, you'll be smiling.  Your grinning and giggling grows page by page.  By telling this story from the point of view of the backup bunny, Abigail Rayner releases large amounts of comedy and charm, enveloping the reader through Fluffy's thoughts and words.  This is heightened further by including Max's exclamations.  Here is a passage.

"That's NOT Bunny!" shouted Max.
"His ears don't feel right!"
Mom put me back in his bed.
Max threw me out.

This went on for a while.

At least the cat liked me.


You can't help but notice on the matching dust jacket and book case the affection Max has for Bunny.  Pure contentment glows on his face.  The patched toy bunny appears to be permanently happy.  You get a hint of the humor found within this book from Fluffy springing forth from the front right edge, waving his paw. 

To the left, on the back, on the same background of pristine white, an interior image of Fluffy dreaming of playing with Max is placed within a loose frame.  Continuing with the white canvas on the opening and closing endpapers illustrator Greg Stones portrays Fluffy first in a series of four alternating poses.  He is less than happy especially when being used as a pillow by the purr machine.  On the closing endpapers Max makes an appearance in the pattern along with a surprise indicative of the story.

Beneath the text on the title page, an illustration of Floppy riding on a bicycle with Max shows him living his dream.  Each page turn shows readers a shifting perspective and image size.  Each showcases and enhances the text.  Greg Stones uses white space as an element in his illustrations to excellent effect.

Careful readers will notice the change in Fluffy's expressions, even though he is a toy.  This increases the impact of his narrative.  The details on the socks in Mom's drawer will have readers laughing out loud.  Max's fondness for Bunny is evident in the pattern on his jammies.

One of my many favorite illustrations is the first night Fluffy spends with Max.  He is finally left on the floor next to Max's bed.  We zoom in on the edge of the bedspread and bed frame.  Fluffy is on his side.  His body posture and facial expression depict his exact mood at being a pillow for the family cat.  The cat, curled on top of Fluffy, is sleeping and smiling.


This title, The Backup Bunny written by Abigail Rayner with pictures by Greg Stones, has huge appeal for readers of all ages.  Children never forget the importance of a precious possession.  Adults will applaud the wisdom of this mom.  Everyone will laugh repeatedly at the story spun by Fluffy.  You will want to have a copy of this title on your professional and personal bookshelves.

To learn more about Abigail Rayner and Greg Stones and their work, please follow the links attached to their names.  Abigail has a Facebook page and Greg has a website.  He also maintains an account on Instagram.  At the publisher's website you can download a four page activity guide.  At a publisher's website you can view interior images.  There is a lovely interview with Abigail Rayner and the premiere of the book trailer at Scholastic's Ambassador of School Libraries, John Schumacher's site, Watch. Connect. Read.  On February 28, 2018 an article appeared in the Community News (Mercer County and Central Jersey) about Abigail and this book.