Lovely black & white picture book. The story is rather peaceful and calming, probably better suited for bedtime than afternoon group storytime.

Note: I received a digital ARC through NetGalley. I also received an F&G from the publisher at an ALA conference. ( )

A quiet book about a Mother bear teaching her young cub how to live in their world. The black and white illustrations are beautifullly rendered. ( )

This is a gentle story about Mother bear and her cub referred to as `Little One`. It starts with leaving the den, learning about the world and how to survive during the spring and summer, then back to the den in the winter. It shows how Little One begins to develop independence and the love of mother and child. This is a beautiful story about growing up. What the description of the book calls stunning black and white illustrations, I see as the one drawback. Children get drawn in by colour and I have seen many beautiful stories with B&W illustrations get pushed aside in favour of the books with coloured illustrations.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

I liked this book for 3 reasons. First, the writing of the book flowed nicely. From page to page it was written to follow nice and easily there was a pace to the book that made it easy to read. Second, the illustrations made this book a very simplistic book. The illustrations were in black and white created with what seemed to be a black pencil. However, that did not lessen the quality. Considering the book was about a mother bear and baby bear made the pictures fit perfectly. Any love amongst a mother and child is simple. Lastly, I enjoyed this book because of the characters. This book was about a mother cub who was allowing her baby to branch out and grow and learn to do things on its own. However, that did not mean that the mother was not there every step of the way. In each page the mother was there guiding and helping in the way best fit. The message I got out of this story was the ability to grow with love and support from a parent and feel protected. ( )

Have you ever sat down with a little one and taken a pencil and made simple drawings to entertain them? No color. Just a simple black lead pencil. To the child you have just done something wondrous and special.

In Little One the artist and author has taken the simplicity of black and white with muted shading and told a simple story. Simple visually. Simple text. A few words that share how the mama bear gently leads baby bear as they emerge from den and winter slumber into an awakening world of spring. She leads him on through the summer and into the fall until it is again time to sleep in the den for another winter.

Yes, a spot of color here and there (example: the spring flowers, the fall leaves) might have lent more interest visually; but I chose to enjoy the book as Joe Weaver has drawn it in its beautiful black and white simplicity.

I think this book is a treasure for its lovely story and also for its ability to detail beauty with stark simplicity.

GIVEAWAY - click here - http://chatwithvera.blogspot.com/2016/12/little-one-by-jo-weaver-from-peachtree.... - Begins December 1 - ENDS December 11 @ 12:01 a.m. ET - Open to USA addresses only

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy from Peachtree Publishing to facilitate a review of my own opinions which are freely given. Giveaway copy is provided directly to the winner by Peachtree. ( )