Me and You

The opening illustration depicts a sunny house inhabited by a family of three bears. We see the family going out for a stroll in the park, but although they look like the epitome of contentment, the parents are self-absorbed and ignore their child.

Meanwhile, a little girl is out shopping with her mother, the pair become separated and the girl runs into the bear’s empty house. After eating their porridge, sitting in their chairs and sleeping in their beds, the girl is discovered by the bears, with surprising consequences.

Browne’s illustrations of the hoodie-wearing girl are dark and urban and alternate with the light-filled bear illustrations, which contain Browne’s customary latent menace (a wolf lurks on the very first page).

The story’s resolution will challenge perceptions and provoke much thought in those who read it.