Frida and Bear

This lovely picture book is a celebration of art, imagination, and creativity as Browne collaborates with Bartholin to play his Shape Game, which has already been the subject of some of his previous books. Bear and Frida the elephant take it in turns to draw a random shape and then turn it into a picture so a squiggle becomes part of a fish or a dog. The game then develops further by introducing objects such as wrapping paper or a twig which become one of Browne's signature monkeys or a butterfly. With plenty of opportunity to join in and scope to develop the game in different ways this is a simple but enticing book for very young children to explore the world around them, use their imaginations, and develop their art skills. Picture book / Ages 4+ / Reviewed by Natalie Plimmer, librarian

Suggested Reading Age 5+