Bernard’s Plane Trip (Adele Jaunn, Working Title Press)

With simple, informative text and clear illustrations, we follow a bear called Bernard as he packs for his trip and takes an aeroplane for the first time. Bernard is nervous. He feels like he’s got butterflies fluttering in his stomach—a feeling we can all relate to. Bernard is an appealing character, both expressive and sympathetic, and while the action in the book is rather limited, there is plenty to look at and familiar details to enjoy. We see Bernard eat, sleep and eat again. Adele Jaunn has managed to capture the feeling of being airborne; her sky and clouds are ethereal, and the white space around the pictures makes the whole book feel light and airy, as does the blue typeface. The illustrations of little flying insects are fun (possibly butterflies, but they look like bees to me) and embody all of Bernard’s inner feelings in an amusing way. This is a gentle book that is reassuring and affirming. It would be an excellent resource for children (aged four and up) who are about to embark on a trip, or for any child with an interest in planes.

Louise Pfanner is an author and illustrator, and works part-time in a bookstore

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Category: Reviews