Bruno Springs Up

Deborah Dowson is a children’s librarian in Caledon East, Ontario.

Bruno the bear wakes up from his winter sleep to a glorious spring day.
After satisfying his hunger with fish from the wild, cold stream, he
goes to visit his friends, the twin rabbits. When he arrives at their
house, he discovers that it has been abandoned. While searching for the
rabbits, he becomes lost in the forest, but is guided in the right
direction by a kindly old fox. Bruno finally finds his friends and
learns why they have moved to a bigger house. The story ends with the
forest animals celebrating the arrival of spring and the birth of all
the new babies.

This second book in what will undoubtedly be a series of Bruno books
features expressive prose and soft and vibrant illustrations. The animal
characters are cuddly and yet retain some of their wild characteristics.
There is a perfect balance between action and adventure and between
serenity and calm in both story and illustrations, as well as an
impressive attention to detail that is evident throughout.

Daigneault’s engaging treatment of a classic theme—the changing
seasons—makes this picture book an absolute must for library
collections. Highly recommended.