No Bears

Reach for this book when your child is asserting their independence, testing the limits of their control, or showing a budding interest in how stories are constructed. It is a brilliant choice for children who like to be the boss and might benefit from a humorous lesson in humility and the value of collaboration. Ella is a determined young protagonist who tries to dictate exactly how her story should go, specifically banning any bears from appearing. However, the clever illustrations show a very different reality, with a helpful bear secretly saving the day at every turn. It is a playful exploration of narrative voice and self confidence, perfectly suited for the 4 to 8 age range. Parents will appreciate the way it introduces sophisticated concepts like dramatic irony and the unreliable narrator through pure, slapstick humor. It is ultimately a story about realizing that sometimes the things we think we do not want are exactly what we need.