posted on 12 Apr 2023

Bear and Bird: The Picnic and other Stories by JARVIS

Children’s books often portray the most contented and inclusive of societies when friendship crosses the boundaries of species and environments in the most relaxed way. This charming set of stories by the award-winning author/illustrator explores how Bear and Bird experience the world together and show how seemingly ordinary pastimes can be exciting and very enjoyable.

The dynamic of this unusual relationship is set by the front cover which shows that Bird is confidently cycling along carrying the much bigger Bear in the front basket. They are both smiling as they pass by colourful flowers and narrowly miss a snail on the path. Then follow four episodes in their busy lives which gradually reveal more about both gentle characters and their special friendship.  

The first chapter suggests that Bear might be adept at solving problems. He gets up expecting to spend time with Bird, but she is nowhere to be found. The reader knows that she has just fallen inside a rather large flower and can’t get out. Bear can hear a loud crying sound coming from the flower but fails to make the connection. He isn’t quite so clever as he thinks he is and wants to cheer up what he perceives to be a distressed flower and decides to tell it all about his friend. It seems that Bird has done some very silly things in the past which Bear finds very amusing. Bird is understandably indignant to hear all these anecdotes, and not at all amused. I can almost hear children calling out ‘She’s in the flower!’ as he blunders on in a Mr Bean-like fashion. He tries to help in other ways and eventually Bird is revealed. Bear goes on to compound his dimness by trying to explain about the talking flower. The upshot is that we agree that it is Bear that is the silly one, not Bird after all.

Subsequent stories show us that Bear is a kindly soul who longs to please his friend, but that he is not at all reliable. I liked the way he forgets to bring pretty much everything along for a picnic adventure (including the food) but then tries to make the best of things by persuading Bird to eat leaves instead. Luckily, his ploy proves to be enough of a distraction and Bear is very relieved. Bird of course knows what has really happened:

‘ …it was better to say nothing. That way, Bear would be happy. Bird preferred to make Bear happy.’   

But when they decide to have a go at painting a picture of a tree, Bear turns out to be very talented and is praised by all the other woodland creatures. Bird goes off in a huff until her friend comes to provide reassurance and encouragement for her efforts. He didn’t really like the painting at all, but that is what friends are for after all.

The final story shows us that it is important to consider other’s feelings and desires, even if one is comfortable and cosy already. Bear realises this when Bird takes the trouble to trek to Badger’s house for some restorative minty tea. Together they snuggle down together under a warm, soft blanket and talk all about the good times they spend together. Simple pleasures.

I strongly recommend this little book that explores the ups and downs of friendship. It will also promote plenty of discussion about the need to think about how to respond to others feelings in a positive way. 

Karen Argent

April 2023