Almost four years ago, "The Bear and the Piano" by David Litchfield caught our eye. I'm a sucker for any book that is visually stunning the moment you clap eyes on the cover, and is even more visually stunning once you get into the story itself.
This book doesn't prepare you for the good solid whump to the heart it delivers as you read the tale of a bear who discovers a strange object in the wood.
He approaches it, and discovers that it can make sounds. The most beautiful sounds imagineable. From there on, Bear falls hopelessly in love with the piano and the music that he plays - though rough and ready at first - soon becomes a beautiful sound to all the creatures who live in the forest.
Fame beckons the bear, and though he soon achieves the dizzy heights of stardom, he remembers who he is, and where he comes from - and once again returns to the forest to play for all his family and friends.
I swear that when we read this book aloud for the first time, the book is so immersive that you could almost hear music as you read. The illustrations glow with David's trademark gift for filling his scenes with colour, atmosphere and light, they are works of great beauty, helping to convey his gentle storytelling style in a truly impressive often heart-wrenching way.
Again it looks so good, and it's the sort of book that perfects a similar trick to most Pixar movies - simultaneously allowing you to wholly identify with its central character, and feel for them as their life's wish is fulfilled. It's a truly beautiful, beautiful book.
Original Review Links of David's fantastic books and collaborations with others:
ReadItDaddy's Second Picture Book of the Week - Week Ending 7th April 2017 - "Grandad's Secret Giant" by David Litchfield (Frances Lincoln Children's Books)
"When I was a Child" by Andy Stanton and David Litchfield (Hodder Children's Books)
ReaditDaddy's First Book of the Week - Week Ending 6th May 2016 - "The Bear and The Piano" by David Litchfield (Frances Lincoln Children's Books)
A fabulous "This or That" interview with the creators of "The Marvellous Moon Map" published today by Red Fox Picture Books. Over to you Teresa and David!
ReadItDaddy's Book of the Week - Week Ending 7th September 2018: "The Bear, The Piano, The Dog and the Fiddle" by David Litchfield (Lincoln Children's Books)
ReadItDaddy's Third Book of the Week - Week Ending 6th September 2019: "Lights on Cotton Rock" by David Litchfield (Frances Lincoln Children's Books)
ReaditDaddy's Second Book of the Week - Week Ending 6th October 2017 - "The Marvellous Moon Map" by Teresa Heapy and David Litchfield (Red Fox Picture Books)