A Bear in War. Stephanie Innes & Harry Endrulat. Illustrated by Brian Deines. Toronto, ON: Pajama Press, 2012. 40 pp., hardcover, $19.95. ISBN 978-1-927485-12-5. Subject Headings: World War, 1914-1918-Juvenile literature. Soldiers-Canada-Juvenile literature. Teddy bears-Juvenile literature. Father and child-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-3 / Ages 6-8. Review by Inderjit Deogun. **** /4

excerpt:

One night, Daddy came into Aileen's room.

"I'm going to fight in the war," he said.

"But I don't want you to go," said Aileen.

"I know. I'd rather stay here, too. But I feel it's my duty to help the other soldiers," said Daddy. "They need help to win the war."

"I'm proud of you, Daddy," said Aileen, giving him a hug.

After Daddy left, Aileen told me a secret: "Teddy, I wish Daddy could stay home."

Aileen and her cherished Teddy live on a farm in rural Quebec. Though they are miles from the front lines of France, stories of the "Great War" continue to make the headlines. Before long, Aileen's father, Lawrence Browning Rogers, decides it's time for him to join his fellow countrymen in their efforts to win the war.

      A Bear in War gently introduces young children to war. This true story about Lawrence Browning Rogers' life is told from Teddy's perspective. The innocence of Teddy's voice is deeply comforting and will resonate with its young audience. Co-authors Innes and Endrulat do not shield the reader from the sadness war brings but choose to demonstrate it with tremendous sensitivity. Deines' exquisite oil paintings beautifully couple the innocence and sensitivity that Innes and Endrulat create. Each illustration is soft in its rendering and also expresses a depth of emotion that moves the reader. Simply put, A Bear in War is a story that parents must read to their children.

Highly Recommended.

Inderjit Deogun is a poet in Toronto, ON.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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