Bear and Me

The little girl and her bear dip their toes in the sea, but they don't go in; they look up at the sky but don't get on the plane; and they sit on the stair but they don't climb up. The bear is a bit timid, and he doesn't dare do these things yet. But that's OK, explains the girl, because one day he'll be a big bear and not so scared any more.

This is a gorgeously simple, spare, understated picture book about growing up, friendship and bravery. The illustrations are full of incidental detail to linger over. The story is about taking things slowly and not feeling pressurised to do too much before you are ready. And all of this in fewer words than this review.