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This handsome hardback book is a fascinating hybrid. The
sub-title makes the shape of the story obvious, but there are other elements
carefully woven in. And like any challenging book, questions come to mind but
don’t get answered – probably deliberately. The story is written from the point
of view of a somewhat philosophical teddy bear who belonged to the author when
he was a boy. Through the teddy’s eyes (eye?) we learn about Gavin’s family and
childhood in the 1950s – including all sorts of interesting details that leave
me in awe of the author’s memory.
But the story is more than just a study of a childhood in
New Zealand. This is a very long-lived bear who also belonged to the author’s
daughters in their turn, an experience that involved some interesting
cross-dressing. A hint of mystery throughout the text eventually results in
readers learning about a tragic previous owner before Gavin actually laid hands
on the bear.
There are times when Teddy is abandoned in a cupboard or
trunk for many years. He hibernates, but to keep the reader’s interest from
waning Gavin has included rolling graphics that mark relevant historical events
during those years, eg. in 1969 Neil Armstrong took a teddy bear to the moon.
This book will be bought by all New Zealand public
libraries, also primary and intermediate schools. I suspect it will be enjoyed
most by keen readers of about eight or nine, but all school-age children will
be able to appreciate it if parents make it a family read-aloud book, adding
explanations and discussion when needed.
ISBN 978 1 77553 727 4 RRP $34.99 Hb
Reviewed by Lorraine Orman
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