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Paw Cézanne and Amelia Bearhart share a whimsical friendship, reflected in their shared passions for art and flight. Amelia rescues Paw from an incoming storm by flying him to a beach near a mountain. There, Bearlie (Bearles Darwin) explains to Paw that his map drawing represents the landscape's geology. The tale quickly shifts from scene to scene because of inclement weather and an earthquake, leading artist Paw far from home. Bearlie invites Paw aboard HMS Beagle for a jaunt to the Galapagos Islands and describes his curiosity about the natural world on the voyage.
The pair revel in the scenery and the diversity of flora and fauna on the Galapagos Islands. "I feel the force holding the brush, don't you see?" Bearlie spreads his arms wide as if to encompass all he sees. Bearlie sketches his most profound thoughts for Paw about what he calls the "chain of life." In response, Paw unfocuses his eyes and feels connected to the butterfly he gazes upon.
The advanced concepts presented throughout the tale are made clear for children through the eyes and thoughts of the appealing historical characters. The lyrical prose and wordplay support the fanciful artistry of the illustrations and the deeply moving prose that make this book a collector's item for picture book enthusiasts and art lovers alike. Definitely a read-aloud for younger children because of the advanced vocabulary and concepts, the narrative will spark questions and provide answers in an enjoyable learning experience about the real lives of naturalists and artists portrayed by charming plush teddy bears, or as Cook calls them, "stuffies." The story will be equally embraced by adult readers for the philosophical discovery of the harmonious ways that artists, scientists, and curious minds of all types explore and perceive the world.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review