Macmillan Children's Books (3+) 1035019574 (Paperback) Download activities and reading resources pack
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A tender look at feelings of sadness and despondency which is relayed in a way that is accessible and resonates with readers of all age. Wolf and Bear have been friends forever and enjoy spending time together, but when Bear begins to feel low, he wants to be on his own. There’s an intimacy and closeness between the two friends and how they feel throughout.
There is a controlled and measured use of light and dark throughout. This helps to highlight the mood of the characters and is a major success of the book. There is a radiant quality to the illustrations. Use of cyanotyping emphasises this and underlines the powerful feelings that both Wolf and Bear experience. Use of body posture and expression means the anthropomorphic approach is clear and consistent making the story accessible to all backgrounds and experiences. The pacing is perfectly achieved, it is compelling, emotive and convincing throughout. Warm, empathetic and richly layered, the artwork sings!
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As well as winning 3rd place in the 2022 Macmillan Prize for Illustration, Kate was shortlisted for several other awards open to students and won her categories in both the V&A Illustration Awards and AOI World Illustration Awards.
In this, her first picture book, Kate uses the unusual technique of cyanotype – a photographic process which relies on sunlight to expose the image, in perfect synergy with the metaphor of light and shade used to express the emotions of the book. The colour in the illustrations was added with crayon, pastel and digital drawing.
Kate studied Animation at Plymouth College of Art before moving to do a BA in Film Production at the Northern Film School. She’s worked in theatre, graphic design and marketing as well as creating a drawing app for the iPad. She also has an MA in Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art. Aside from writing & illustrating, she works in textile design, teaches and lectures in illustration, and runs regular online drawing and writing sessions. She lives in the Suffolk countryside with her wobbly cat, Pip.
The book was okay so I kind of enjoyed it because it showed two friends who were together. But, what I didn't like about it was when there was no reason why the bear looked sad. Overall, a good book.
Shiloh
Brooke Weston Book Busters
I thought the use of colour to express the character's emotions was very well done! You could see the way the "shadow" grew darker with Bear's (blue) mood while Wolf remained in the light - A good visual for younger readers. The use of colour to illustrate Wolf's howl was also a well considered choice, as it again illustrated how Wolf's "song" broke through Bear's darkening shadow and lead him back to the light.
Miss Smith
Norwich High School Bookworms
I like the illustrations, especially the wolf singing scenes!
Alexandra
Norwich High School Bookworms
I loved the way they used colour to show emotion. At the start it is all light, and then Bear becomes blue and then it all becomes dark to show Bear's depression. Then at the end it becomes light again as Bear's depression fades away and they are happy again.
Violet
Norwich High School Bookworms
Rene
Page Turners
I like the book because its like two different emotions one which is a sad emotion and a happy emotion. Eventually the bear gets affected by wolf’s happy emotions and starts to get happier. It’s also very heart warming and makes me really emotional.
Rene
Page Turners
Absolutely love the pictures. A really nice book filled with amazing illustrations and meaningful messages. One of the few picture books that can actually appeal to many age groups.
Isla
Page Turners
Wolf and Bear was a great book. The illustrations were amazing and I would 100% recommend this book for all ages.
Emina
Page Turners