Moon Bear

A curly headed child surrounded by toys is summoned by a caregiver: “Time for bed, Ettie” writes Welsh (Everything Changes) in one of this largely wordless picture book’s two lines. In a dark bedroom, Ettie stares apprehensively out at the darkness; a clutched flashlight offers comfort, but it’s not enough. When a shower of intense sparkling white light streams in through the window, Ettie dances in and with it, then traces the constellation of a bear in the sky onto the windowpane. In a dramatic moment, the light brightens further, and a glowing white bear cub tumbles into the room. Long, luxuriously developed panels and spreads dwell on child and cub at play. Illustrator Godina concentrates on the light that emanates from the animal, the sparkling footprints it leaves behind, and its interest in sources of light including a lamp, an electric alarm clock, and the flashlight. When morning reveals the cub to have gone, a comic sequence follows as Ettie hurries through the day in order to facilitate a reunion. It’s a visually absorbing wish fulfillment tale in which Ettie gets all the light they need and more. Characters are portrayed with pale skin. Ages 4–7. (June)