When looking at the kinds of stories we read to children as they grow up, it is relatively obvious that many of these house a bear character of some sort. When thinking about it I came up with a list of just some of the bear inclusive stories of my childhood. Goldilocks, Winnie the Pooh and Paddington Bear were just a few that popped up on my list and this got me thinking...what is it about bears that make them such a popular literary character? (apart from the fact that they are so darn cute!). No Bears, written by Meg McKinlay and illustrated by Leila Rudge, tells the story of a young girl named Ruby who has decided to write her very own book. Gaining inspiration from her collection of fairytales, Ruby sets out to start her story however there is one thing you need to know - there is a strict 'No Bear' policy. As the story unravels, we are introduced to Ruby's different characters; princesses, monsters and fairies. However there is one character we are never introduced to in the text but rather through the illustrations - Bear. This is Bear. This cheeky little character hides behind the pages of Ruby's story whilst, unbeknownst to her, helping the story book characters play out their role in the book, making sure he doesn't get caught when doing so. A perfect example of how metafiction can engage an audience as well as challenge the traditional fairytale conventions. The contrast between the story Ruby tells through the text and what is actually happening in the illustrations is a common technique employed by authors and illustrators in the Post Modern picture book world. The Bears work in the story acts as a sub plot which engages the reader as they feel like they know more than the narrator and can giggle as they compare what Ruby says and what the cheeky storybook characters actually do. This skilfully written story time staple allows the child reader to take a peek behind the curtain of storytelling, laugh along as they follow the adventure of the forbidden Bear and fall in love with the gorgeously illustrated all too familiar characters that fill this text. In order for this story to be fully appreciated for its twist on the traditional fairytale, the child reader would of had to of been previously introduced to the traditional tellings of fairytales and fables in order for them to understand the storytelling conventions which are then flipped on their head in this loveable fractured fairytale. After being enjoyed once, I can assure you that children will be asking for you to read it again and again. No Bears is a book I can't wait to share with my class one day, one I'm positive they will enjoy whether it be read aloud or independently in a comfy book nook somewhere. Meg McKinlay has also written a wide variety of other books including: Duck for a Day, The Truth about Penguins & The Big Dig. I do believe you should check them out...that is all.
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AuthorBook lover, tea drinker and Primary School teacher. Archives
April 2017
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