Bearcub and Mama is the tender story of a young bearcub who follows his mother wherever she goes, learning how to catch fish, dig for grubs, climb trees, and find honey. As he grows he learns to cope on his own, and one day when a storm blows in and he finds himself alone, he must use all he has learned to survive the fierce storm.

In this latest picture book by experienced author Sharon Jennings, the classic tale of a mother-child bond is told in simple language geared to preschoolers. The story is sweet and straightforward, but lacks that special something that creates a storybook a parent wants to read more than once.

What is special about this book are the pictures. Melanie Watt has created a visual feast for the reader. The illustrations adopt unique perspectives that can be studied at length to catch the subtle nuances of the story. For example, on the first spread, when the text says, “Bearcub always knows where his mama is,” we see the little bearcub peering out from between some foliage. Instead of just showing the mama bear beside the bearcub, we see only the mother bear’s shadow and part of a limb, and from that we know that bearcub is looking at his mama. These soft, pastel-hued paintings allow us to see the texture of the canvas, creating a delicate and impressionistic quality. As well, the harmonious choice of colours enhances the tender quality of the story.

Bearcub and Mama is a sweet uncomplicated story brought to life mostly through its illustrations.