Description
Following the success of his debut picture book Sarah’s Shadow, which won Best Children’s Picture Book in the Readers’ Favorite Awards in 2018, Nick Jones found inspiration for his next story in the town where he lives, Congleton in Cheshire. Congleton is nicknamed Beartown because, many years ago, the town owned a real-life bear, and in 2011 the town held a very successful festival called Bearmania, with over 70 painted bears dotted around Congleton. One day in 2018, when Nick drove past the Buglawton bear statue in Congleton, he had an idea: what if that bear statue came to life? Better still, what if all the painted bears from Bearmania came to life too? Two years and a Kickstarter campaign later, One Night in Beartown was born! Title: One Night in Beartown Author: Nick Jones Illustrator: Format: Paperback Length: 32 pages Published: 2020
Laura Voisey –
Sandy Lane loves bears. She is surrounded by them, from her bear wallpaper and her well-stocked library of bear stories to her teddy-packed bed. Her hometown once owned a real bear – there’s a statue of him outside her window – and there are many other painted bears to be found around the town. But her favourite bear is Berisford, a special gift from her grandma. Sandy and Berisford are inseparable – until one terrible day when the school bully manages to get Berisford confiscated and she faces the prospect of spending a whole night without him…
Anyone who loves bears (and who doesn’t?) will love this delightful story of a young girl’s night-time adventure with her favourite friends. It’s a magical tale that’s been compared to Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman, and rightly so, and the ending, where the bully gets his come-uppance, is both humorous and touching. Nick Jones is a writer who truly understands what matters to children, from their fears to their wildest dreams, making this a real page-turner, and Si Clark’s compelling illustrations have an emotional sensitivity that perfectly conveys the ups and downs of a child’s world and the exciting possibilities it holds. Set to become a bedtime classic!
Lynne Bradley –
A wonderful book based in Congleton, full of delightfully drawn bears that come to life for one magical night. Children and parents will want to read this book time and again.
Will Kirkham (verified owner) –
Our son couldn’t wait to read this book, so much so that he started it in the car home.
Another fantastically written story with superb illustrations…can’t wait for another book from Nick Jones and Si Clark.
Paulette Ball (verified owner) –
Beautiful books.bought for my great grandson and grandson each signed by the author lovely Keepsakes the illustration the colours are so beautiful.thank you
Jane Hunt –
One Night in Beartown, set in Congleton, locally known as Beartown, is a lovely story aimed at young children. It explores bullying, being apart from someone you love and the life’s magic that’s always there if you look hard enough.
The illustrations are bright and engaging and illuminate the text in a way that appeals. The story is an easy read, perfect for reading to younger children or for older children to read by themselves. There is a magical feel to the story and a lovely twist at the end.
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.