Norton is someone with his own particular style. He likes being different.
Unfortunately for Norton, he has a copycat.
Bear loves Norton's style and every time Norton appears with something new (jumper, scarf, hat), Bear copies him.
Norton finds it completely frustrating!
Although Bear is excited to tell Norton how much he admires his fashion sense, Norton has had enough.
He tells Bear to stop copying him and find his own style.
It doesn't take long for Norton to feel bad about what he said to Bear, and he eventually comes to a realisation. Perhaps imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery, and perhaps Norton and Bear can just focus on being friends.
With a few exceptions, and the odd prop, the illustrations in Norton and the Bear are made up of the two characters and lots of white space. That lets the characters be the central focus, and skinny Norton and larger than life Bear are full of expression.
Author and illustrator Gabriel Evans has created them using watercolour, gouache and pencil. He says the story was inspired by the frustrations of one sibling copying another.
Norton and the Bear is wonderful story about similarities and diffferences, and that it's ok to have both. It's a reminder that even if we have things in common, there are always things that make each of us unique.
Title: Norton and the BearAuthor/Illustrator: Gabriel Evans
Publisher: Berbay Publishing, $ 25.99
Publication Date: October 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780648785132
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book
