Norris, The Bear Who Shared

Norris is a bear who notices a fruit called a plorringe hanging from a tree. He sits beneath the tree waiting, joined by other creatures who also want the plorringe. While they wait, Norris observes the plorringe and his surroundings. The story follows what happens as the characters each deal with their desire for the fruit. The illustrations use watercolor and ink to create expressive animal characters and a natural setting. The artwork emphasizes texture and movement through loose, flowing strokes. This picture book explores themes of patience and the rewards of sharing with others. The straightforward narrative demonstrates how kindness can lead to unexpected benefits.

Readers call this a calm, sweet story that teaches sharing without being preachy. Parents note it works well for teaching patience and generosity to toddlers and preschoolers. Liked: - Watercolor illustrations, especially of Norris the bear - Simple message that resonates with young children - Short length good for bedtime reading - Shows waiting and sharing rather than telling Disliked: - Some found the story too basic - A few mentioned the ending felt abrupt - Print size considered too small by some parents Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (483 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.6/5 (98 ratings) Amazon US: 4.4/5 (21 ratings) "The illustrations are gorgeous - my 2-year-old loves pointing out details on each page," noted one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review mentioned: "The message comes through naturally without hitting kids over the head with it."

Bear Has a Story to Tell by Philip C. Stead A bear practices patience and kindness while waiting to share something with his woodland friends.

The Lion and the Bird by Marianne Dubuc A lion forms a bond with a wounded bird through acts of sharing and sacrifice.

A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker A solitary bear's resolve to remain alone crumbles when a persistent mouse shows him the value of companionship.

Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve A boy learns to share adventures with new friends while searching for his missing explorer parents.

Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems An elephant wrestles with the decision to share his ice cream cone with his best friend.

🐻 Catherine Rayner created the character of Norris while working at Edinburgh Zoo, where she spent time sketching and observing the animals. 🎨 The book's distinctive illustrations were created using mixed media, including watercolor, ink, and monoprint techniques. 🏆 Catherine Rayner won the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal in 2009 for her book "Harris Finds His Feet," making her one of the youngest winners of this prestigious children's book illustration award. 🍐 The "wonderfruit" in the story is based on the plomok, a fictional fruit that Rayner invented, combining elements of plums and other sweet fruits. 🤝 The book's central theme of sharing was inspired by Rayner's observations of how young children learn to navigate social interactions and develop empathy.