Happy Endings

Annabelle Goodman was Vice-Principal of Williamson Road Public School.

William Bear decides to run away because nothing is going well (he has fed the clock, set the fish, and even stepped in the fishbowl). William thinks that if he becomes rich and famous his parents will feel sorry. William doesn’t realize that Mom (Alice) is also having problems and fantasizing about going up in a balloon. Dad (Nigel), having his own problems, decides to sail out in his rowboat. But suddenly everything happens at once: Mom floats up in the sky while Dad’s boat takes off in the water. One disaster takes place after another. William states, “Life can come up with some nasty surprises. Let us be thankful for happy endings.”

The reader will thoroughly enjoy the humorous episodes of this bear family. The language is colourful and descriptive. The book, a handy size for carrying around, is printed on very sturdy paper. Delightful sketches illustrate the story. Happy Endings is Bob Malcomson’s first children’s book. He certainly seems to know what pleases children (and story readers). This is more a story to be read to children, as some of the vocabulary is too difficult for the beginning reader. A typing error (p.22) naming Nigel in place of William will probably not detract at all from the story. Let’s have more stories from this creative author.