Once I Was a Bear

Illustrated in charming soft pencil and watercolours, Once I Was A Bear tells the story of a bear cub happily playing in the forest. He tumbles through tall grass, chasing butterflies and rabbits and roaming over hillsides, very much content. The season appears to change from Fall to Winter, and the little bear goes to sleep in his den.

When the little bear wakes up, he is depicted with the body of a young boy and the head of a bear. He wakes in a makeshift tent and starts to get ready for the day but seems to be anxious with “butterflies” in his stomach. He is no longer surrounded by trees and animals but by tall buildings and loud noises that make him more nervous. Based on a sign that says “Welcome, New Students!”, readers can discern that the little bear is starting school and he is likely nervous about that.

The many new faces that greet him at school frighten him. He is out of his element with the structure of the classroom and unfamiliar surroundings. But, as the day goes on and the little bear is able to express his love of the forest through art, he starts to feel more comfortable and realizes that the other children are more like him than he had realized. The little bear is able to open up and come out of his shell, enjoying his “new adventure” as a little boy with his new friends.

Once I Was a Bear, a beautifully illustrated picture book, does a fantastic job in exploring the concepts of adapting to change and sensory overload. For many people, both children and adults alike, change is not always easy, and coming out of one’s comfort zone can be a challenge on the best of days. Luxbacher keeps her illustrations bright and interesting, drawing the reader’s eye to all sorts of objects that could make someone who is sensitive to sounds and sights uncomfortable. Young readers will also be able to catch the change in seasons and enjoy finding the different animals that the other children identify with.