A Bear on Broadway—Hest/Savadier

I’ve never reviewed a picture book before but this one begs to be known, and a select set of others are in the wings waiting for their turn.  So, from a Grandmom’s perspective here are my thoughts about:

When you Meet a Bear ON BROADWAY
by: Amy Hest
Pictures by: Elivia Savadier
NY:Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2009, 40pp.

I will be honest.  I have taken to scanning the shelves of the picture book section in the library primarily as a source for whimsical watercolor pictures to use as drawing lessons.  A book’s actual written content is only of secondary importance as I’m also always on the lookout for wonderful new picture books for my grandbabies! To be truly wonderful, a picture book must have not only eye-catching illustrations but the text must hold its own charm apart from pictures.  Well, this book has it all! It’s definitely going on my Grandma Wish List. 

The fine pen and ink line drawings depict a city-scape with just the right amount of intriguing detail.  The pale watercolor wash of the opening scene is accented by the deep tawny tones of a wee lost bear at one end of the sidewalk and a wispy-haired girl in bright blue coat and red and orange striped socks strolling toward him at the other end!  You can’t miss the main characters. 

Then there’s the opening line: “When you meet a bear on Broadway, this is what to do.  Suck in your breath. Stick out your hand.  And say, ‘Stop there, Little Bear!’  And he will.  Stop. Immediately. (To your great relief.)”  And you’re hooked!  The writing stands alone.  And the reader is drawn into a re-assuring tale that lost mothers can be found, but first you must ‘Hush-a-bit…So we can think.’  Both words and illustrations are lively, whimsical, quaint and irresistible from start to finish.  This one’s a keeper!  I’ll be keeping an eye out for more books by this author and illustrator duo! 

But for now, I’ll “…say goodbye.  (Politely.) And wave.  Until they are dots.”

--LS