Also illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke: Fletcher & the Falling Leaves Brave Bitsy and the Bear by Angela McAllister, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke Preschool-grade 3 32 pages Clarion October 2006 Hardcover     What a delightful book by two terrifically talented young women! Brave Bitsy and the Bear is written by Angela McAllister, who has penned more than 30 titles for children (including Barkus, Sly and The Golden Egg), and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke, who also has many credits to her name, including Wish, Change, Friend and I’m Going to Grandma’s. McAllister and Beeke both live with their respective husbands and two children in England. The book was first published in the United Kingdom in 2004. A lost toy rabbit, Bitsy (a little bit of a lavender thing in a blue and white striped t-shirt), and a real (huge by comparison) brown bear find each other and remain friends. The rabbit even saves the much larger animal’s life, with the help of other forest creatures. The book is about friendship, about interspecies (intercultural) relationships, courage, and community pulling together to help each other. Music is also important in this story. The illustrations are whimsical and charming, slightly Impressionistic. I especially love the smaller ones done within circles. The book is sturdy, with a reinforced binding, and is immensely appealing. Brave Bitsy and the Bear is most appropriate for ages three to five year olds, but a lot of adults will love it, too. Messages about the importance of friendship, tolerance and community benefit us all.   web reviews   Deborah Straw/2007 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)