The Invisible Bear

May 1, 2020
In this French import (translated into English by its author), a bear that feels invisible undergoes a transformation. Debut author/illustrator Metzger opens the story with exterior and interior settings rendered in pale gray/green watercolor and ink, a choice reinforcing the lonely silence surrounding the large, white bear that feels forgotten, unseen. His presence is distinguished only by the rain cloud perpetually above his head. One morning, a cluster of rosy dragonflies flits into his orbit--followed by a truck packed with the green and pink cargo of Madame Odette. Double-page spreads of the elderly white woman's home and greenhouse, as well as vignettes of her many activities, show that she "lived in a cheerful world of color and sound." Initially annoyed, the bear learns to accommodate the changes and ultimately help his new neighbor by transporting his cloud to her wilting garden. Then his new friend is gone: "She loved her dragonflies so much that she flew away with them." Whether this is meant to be literal or metaphorical is open to interpretation, but the bear finds a potted flower on his doorstep and realizes that he has been seen. While the two characters' contrasting lives are well delineated, the gray lasts a bit too long, the bear's predicament is never explained, and the conclusion in which the friend departs will be unsatisfying for many children. Readers will be forgiven for wondering if a plant can replace companionship. (Picture book. 4-7)

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Starred review from June 1, 2020

Gr 1-3-A bear feels invisible, seen by no one. He lives in a gray world with a personal raincloud overhead until the day color arrives in the form of a neighbor. Madame Odette lives in a "cheerful world of color and sound" doing everyday things like talking on the phone, cooking, and gardening. The bear is able to leave his dreary world when he helps Madame Odette water her flowers; then they gently embrace. The pair become fond of each other, able to share color and light sometimes tinged with gray. Their friendship changes them both forever, even on the morning that began as any other when "Madame Odette was gone." She simply floats off the page with her much-loved dragonflies. Readers recognize, however, that her gift to the bear will sustain him. Gentle illustrations in soft hues effectively illustrate this subtle tale of depression, loss, and the healing power of affection. The art moves from translucent grays to color in beautifully rendered watercolor and ink. VERDICT A beautiful yet subtle depiction of the restorative power of companionship.-Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at District of Columbia P.L.

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 29, 2020
Ink and watercolor spreads by newcomer Metzger introduce a large, ghostly white bear: “No one ever came to see him, and he lived all alone in his colorless world.” A small rain cloud perches above his head, and mists of pale gray surround him. One day, a host of scarlet dragonflies invades the bear’s house, announcing the presence of Madame Odette, who arrives in a jalopy piled high with boxes. Roses and dragonflies accompany her everywhere: “She lived in a cheerful world of color and sound.” The two exist in uneasy proximity until a drought wilts Madam Odette’s garden and the bear’s rain cloud saves it. Thus begins their friendship and—though Madame Odette moves on—a colorful transformation in the bear’s life. Metzger underscores the unmistakable contrast between the bear’s drab existence and the abundance of Madame Odette’s: he cooks, feeds his goldfish, and reads; she talks on the telephone, dotes on her flowers, and luxuriates in a clawfoot tub. Yet the possibility of making a quiet life meaningful is vividly represented, too. Ages 4–8.

July 1, 2020
Preschool-G A large, white bear living in a lonely, colorless world feels invisible in his isolation. Yet, he has grown used to his quiet routines?reading, drinking tea, feeding his pet fish?so when Madame Odette moves in next door, it's a shock to his system. She is the bear's polar opposite; indeed, she is frequently depicted with a blood-orange sun above her head, while the bear is crowned by a small, persistent rain cloud. A grandmotherly woman, Madame Odette exudes life, color, and sound, and she surrounds her house with beautiful flowers. The bear isn't sure he likes these changes, but when he hears Madame Odette crying over her wilted plants one day, he offers to help, giving her a hug and the use of his rain cloud. Thus, a friendship is born. This simple story is transformed into something special by Metzger's gorgeous illustrations, delicately rendered in Chinese ink and watercolor in vintage shades. This odd-couple friendship will foster contemplation in the reader, in addition to drawing a smile.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)