Thank You Bear Board Book

January 29, 2007
Foley, making his children's book debut, is an award-winning graphic designer and the creative director for the hipster-fashionista bibles Visionaire
, V
and VMan
. His simple story concerns "a little bear found a little box." The cub thinks it is "the greatest thing ever!" But on his way to presenting the box to his friend Mouse, the furry hero meets up with naysayers whose discouragement ranges from "I've seen those before" (an owl) to "You're holding it the wrong way" (a fox). But Mouse looks at the box "this way and that," and agrees with his pal's original rave, to the letter. Mouse gratefully makes the box his new home (hence, the title). Foley combines an energetic ink line with pleasingly off-register washes of muted color, giving his pages a handsome, retro look. He strips down the story and the illustrations to their essence, allowing toddlers to place themselves in the cub's position, and rejoice when his best friend appreciates his gift—a box just right for Mouse to make his own. Ages 3-up.