Emma Chichester Clark

George wasn't like his siblings, or any of the other bears. Not content to spend his days eating and playing, he often wondered if there wasn't something more to life. Then one day he found a book beneath a tree, and deciding that he must simply learn how to read it, he headed to town. Unfortunately for him, humans were afraid of grizzly bears, so George's advent in town was greeted with chaotic scenes and panicked people. Surrounded by police, George only wanted to find someone who could show more help him learn to read! Then a little girl named Clementine entered the picture...

Bears Don't Read! is an absolute delight of a picture-book, pairing a heartwarming tale of a bear who just doesn't fit the conventional ursine mold, with appealingly quirky illustrations that capture George's many emotional states perfectly. As a bibliophile myself, I entered into George's feelings about learning to read wholeheartedly, and sympathized with his predicament when confronted with a panicking human population. Of course, that sympathy did not prevent me from finding the whole production quite amusing! Emma Chichester Clark manages to create a hero and a story that are simultaneously endearing and entertaining, and her artwork is simply adorable! Recommended to all young children who sometimes feel out of step with those around them, as well as to all youngsters who are eager to learn how to read. show less

Plum, the star of this book, is a whoosell (whippet/poodle/Jack Russell mix) who lives with book illustrator Emma Chichester Clark. Plum (with Clark's assistance) blogs about her life with Emma, Emma's family, and Plum's doggy friends (including her sister, Liffey). Plum loves to swim in the river, or the sea, or any water, really. This book follows Plum through a year in her life. Have you ever wondered what the world looks like from a dog's perspective? How about this description of visits show more with Grandpa and Grandma?

We went to see Grandpa and Caroline and Maudie. Grandpa is 588 years old in dog years. In the evening we went to Grandma's birthday party. She is 571 but she only had one candle on her cake. Last year she got married. Her new husband is 602. Liffey (my sister) and I were a bit bored because we were the only young people.

Emma's illustrations are lovely, and the decorative border around each page complements the color palette. Plum's narration is almost like hearing my own dog talking. Almost, because my dog does not like water and he would never want to swim in a river, the sea, or a pond. He gives a wide berth to the even the smallest of rain puddles. Highly recommended for anyone who has ever shared life with a dog. show less

If you are a dog person, you probably wonder what goes on in their doggy minds, right? Sometimes you can tell what they have to be thinking from the sheer joy they exhibit or the baleful glances they give you when you do something mean like take them to the vet or the groomer. But what about general, daily sorts of things; how do they feel about those? Readers are in luck because Emma Chichester Clark has written and illustrated a charming book about a year in the life of her dog Plum, show more entirely from Plum's perspective, and it will confirm all the happy, funny things you've always thought your dog was thinking.

Plum is a Whoosell, a whippet, poodle, Jack Russell mix. She likes long walks, cavorting in any body of water, visiting her sister and other canine friends, going on adventures, and cuddling up with her human. She is completely delightful and funny and entertaining and friendly (except to rare not so nice dogs she come across in her ramblings). She shares snippets of her days as well as small insights into Emma's life.

Opening with Plum's New Year Resolutions, which are "To be braver. [picture Plum on her back in a submissive pose between two bigger dogs] To catch a cat. To catch a fox. Not to unstuff my new toys immediately. To sleep in their bed every night" and ending on December 31 with "We went to stay with our friends in the country for New Year's Eve. It was just as comfy as I remembered. The chairs and sofas are for dogs, unlike in our house. While everyone was watching TV I thought about the resolutions I'd made at the beginning of the year, and I realised I had almost 100% failed--except for one thing: the middle of their bed is MINE," the book isn't really a narrative per se, but a delightfully illustrated diary chronicling small, sweet snapshots of the previous year. It's a heart warming love letter to a dog, the joy in her heart and the joy she brings Clark. And reading it will bring the same kind of uncomplicated joy to anyone lucky enough to live with a dog. show less

As Lily and her family prepare for Christmas, the loving little girl continually tells her cherished toy, Blue Kangaroo, that this card, this present, and this carol is just for him. Blue Kangaroo longs to be able to give something to Lily in return - something that is just for her. But how? It is only with the help of Father Christmas, who arrives late Christmas Eve night, that Blue Kangaroo finds a way...

Originally published in the UK in 2004 as Just for You, Blue Kangaroo!, and in the USA show more as Merry Christmas to You, Blue Kangaroo!, this lovely holiday tale from author/illustrator Emma Chichester Clark was just reprinted this year (2017) as Merry Christmas, Blue Kangaroo!. I'm glad I stumbled across it on our Christmas table at work, as it is a sweet, heartwarming tale of the love between a little girl and her most cherished toy companion. The artwork is every bit as appealing as the story, with a subtle sense of humor - I liked Father Christmas's expressions! - that is well-matched to the text. I understand that Clark created many stories about Lily and Blue Kangaroo - hopefully this will be the first of many that I read and enjoy! Recommended to fans of the Blue Kangaroo books, and to anyone looking for gentle, heartwarming Christmas stories for the picture-book set. show less