Welsh, Clare Helen. Moon Bear. Carolina T. Godina, Illus. Frances Lincoln, 06/2024. [28]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-7112-9101-0. GRADES Preschool–2. ADDITIONAL.
Containing just two lines of text, this largely wordless picture book shows Ettie at bedtime. At first, they are afraid of the dark, but soon sparkling lights from the moon form a bear that comes through the window to play with Ettie. The gouache and colored pencil paneled artwork depict Ettie as white, with an indeterminate gender. Is the bear real or from Ettie’s imagination? Because of the smaller panels, this will work best one-on-one but not for storytime. Not to be confused with the classic picture book Moonbear (Asch, S&S, 1978). Review based on an ARC.
Penny Peck—San José State University, iSchool