The Great Bear by Libby Gleeson and Armin Greder

You only need glance at the cover of this amazing picture book to see that it is probably going to be dark. After all, it's night time, and there is a crowd staring at you in what you could interpret as an off putting way. The title tells us it's about a bear, little do we know that we have already been put into the bear's point of view and we haven't even opened the book yet.


I love it. I love how arresting it is. These people demand you look at them, perform for them. The bear is all but neglected, until it is harassed into performance. and you experience it all with the her.

That is, until the bear's anger is unleashed and it roars, looking for an escape. From here on, we get to watch as the bear flees to the stars.

It is beautiful and poetic. Moving and intriguing.

Clearly not a bedtime story for a three year old, but not all picture books are.

I have long considered this as one of my favourite picture books. It is full of emotion of many kinds. Have you read and felt this book?

5 Gold Stars

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I Am Thomas by Libby Gleeson and Armin Greder

Any teen who has felt any expectation from the adults around them will understand this book.

Therefore, any teen will understand this book.

It is confronting. It does not shy away from what it is trying to say.

It is powerful.

Libby Gleeson and Armin Greder are an amazing pair. To my knowledge, they have done three books together, each one a masterpiece with a very different tone. This one is the most blatant and in your face. As it should be.