"Are the bears in 'Moon and Back' polar bears or brown bears?"

“The repetition of “I Love you…” on each page makes the text memorable for little ones and a joy to read.”

— Mama Filz This morning I received this message via Instagram: 

My family is discussing what type of bears are in your illustrations in ‘I love you to the Moon and Back’. We are debating between polar bears and brown bears.’

 

The stakes are high, too. There’s a serious bet, and the loser eats a jar of baby food!

It’s a great question – and here’s my answer. 

I Love You to the Moon and Back was designed as a companion to my picture book from a few years earlier: I Love You As Big As the World by David van Buren. It features a big bear and a little bear which were definitely inspired by polar bears. I’ve illustrated many bears throughout my career, and I wanted these to look more unique. Polar bears have quite a distinct appearance, more elongated and leggy than brown bears. I think that’s evident in these particular bears of mine, who sport long snouts and small ears, so characteristic of the polar kind.

My publisher, however, didn’t want a book featuring polar bears. So I painted some samples of very light, sandy-coloured bears instead. Again, they wanted them a bit darker.

And that’s how I styled the bears in As Big As the World and, subsequently, Moon and Back.

   

And I have good news for all you bear fans – I Love You to the Moon and Back: All Year Round is being published later this year. Here’s a sneak peek showing some of the work that goes into producing my illustrations (complete with the art director’s feedback: When you go to colour, could you just make sure those frogs look happy? :))

   

I’m conscious that parents and carers will repeatedly share these stories, so I’d better make them worth your while! 

   

Of course, I also look at other bears when drawing my bear characters. So they’re kind of an amalgamation of the bear family. My favourite spread in Moon and Back shows the bears coming down the mountain, with the little bear holding on to Big Bear’s back:

   

We’ll climb the highest mountain tops – hold tight and you won’t fall.

 

That particular scene was definitely inspired by pictures of polar bears, which are frequently photographed with their cubs riding high on their backs. It’s a natural moment of intimacy that your kids, at the end of a tiring day, will easily relate to!

Here’s a similar scene from the new book:

   

Back to that original question. In summary, the bears are polar and brown bears combined (with the emphasis on polar).

But for my money, if only one can be correct, then polar bears win the day.

Bon Appetit!

Tips for sharing the I Love You Bear Books

The ‘I Love You’ bear books work exceptionally well as quiet, wind-down stories. Follow the advice of Booktrust and incorporate it into a bath, book, and bed routine to settle your little one down for the night.

Take your child to the library and find some non-fiction titles about bears. Spark their curiosity and enjoy learning together as you explore the world of bears!

The bears aren’t assigned any gender – meaning the big bear can be viewed as any parent or carer. Ask your child who the big bear reminds them of.

STORIES WORTH SHARINGThe I Love You Bear Books (Little Tiger Press)Good to Read for:calming down before bedtimesnuggling up togetherexpressing love to your child BUY THE BOOKS

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Big As the World“My daughters adore this book and love it even more when Dadda reads it to them.”– Mama Filz

Moon and Back“If you’re looking for genuine warmth and joy in a beautifully illustrated read, look no further.”– @theunyoungmum

Forever and a Day“hugely appealing to young children who will delight in snuggling up close to their own mum or dad (or perhaps grandparent)”– Red Reading Hub  BUY U.K. BUY U.S.A. * I EARN COMMISSION FROM THESE LINKS #AD/AFF

RELATED ARTICLES

SOURCES

Mamafilz.com: As Big As the World ReviewI Love You As Big As the World by David van Buren, ill. by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press 2008)I Love You to the Moon and Back by Amelia Hepworth, ill. by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2015)I Love You Forever and a Day by Amelia Hepworth, ill. by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2022)I Love You to the Moon and Back: All Year Round by Amelia Hepworth, ill. by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press, 2023)Red Reading Hub: Forever and a Day review Are you stuck for quality stories that you and your kids will enjoy? Sign up for your free weekly email with story recommendations and tips. SIGN UP HERE! Copyright © 2008 David van Buren (Text) © 2015, 2022, 2023 Amelia Hepworth (Text) © 2010, 2015, 2022, 2023 Tim Warnes (Illustrations)From I LOVE YOU AS BIG AS THE WORLD by David van Buren & Tim WarnesI LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK by Amelia Hepworth & Tim WarnesI LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK: ALL YEAR ROUND by Amelia Hepworth & Tim WarnesLittle Tiger Press  © 2023 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)****USE OF THIRD-PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE