MIMI AND BEAR IN THE SNOW

Mimi’s beloved toy accompanies her everywhere she goes.

On a lovely snowy day, she goes outside to play, and Bear is there to watch and applaud her wintry triumphs. She ice-skates on a puddle and wins an imaginary gold medal. She makes an extravagant, decorated snow hat for herself and one for Bear. But when she completes a hairy snow beast and is ready to end her adventures, Bear is nowhere to be found, and she must return home without him. The next day, the snow has melted, and her skating rink and the snow hats are all gone, but there, in place of the melted snow beast, is Bear. Now Mimi keeps Bear safely tucked in a backpack wherever she goes, so she will never lose him again. Employing brief descriptive sentences and repeating the mantra “Bear was there,” Trasler’s gentle tale beautifully captures a child’s love for a dependable, cuddly friend, no matter if it is inanimate. Mimi, who is a bunny, and Bear stand out in brightly hued red, gold and blue, while the snowy setting is rendered in soft whites, grays and greens. Sharp-eyed young readers will notice Bear as he is caught in the makings of the snow beast and will want to tell Mimi where to look.

Warm and fuzzy and very reassuring.