A Beginner's Guide to Bearspotting by Michelle Robinson and David Roberts (Bloomsbury Children's Books)

Cast your eyes over any "Top booky books of all time" children's book list and I bet you at least 3 of the 'top ten' will be bear books...
Bears are, without a doubt, still the animal of choice for most youngsters but could you cope with 'meeting' one out in the wild? What would you do?

Here's a handy guide that might just save your skin, courtesy of Michelle Robinson and David Roberts. "A Beginner's Guide to Bear Spotting" takes a tongue in cheek look at how to survive your first encounter with either a Black Bear or a Brown Bear.

They may share the same genus, but both bears are distinctly different and it's very important not to mix the two up. For example, it's not a great idea to 'play dead' if you meet a black bear, nor is it a good idea to stare down a brown bear and back slowly away. Or is it the other way round? See how confusing it all is?

Michelle's humour pokes gentle fun at survival guides, it's a hilarious read and nabbing David Roberts for illustration duties must've been like a dream come true, as he's undoubtedly one of the most talented artists alive today.

It's a fab and fun book - which reminds me how far I leapt out of my skin when I went to Canada and mistook a rather large black alsatian for a bear once...wish I'd had this book to cower behind!

Charlotte's favourite bit: BEAR HUGS! (Just don't get caught in the middle of one!)

Daddy's favourite bit: Wry and hilarious writing coupled with gorgeous illustrations, it's another hit for Michelle and David!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Bloomsbury Publishing)

"A Beginner's Guide to Bear Spotting"

Written by Michelle Robinson

Illustrated by David Roberts

Published by Bloomsbury Publishing

Publication Date (Hardback): 11th February 2016