Bridget’s Beret
by Tom Lichtenheld
Henry Holt
ISBN: 978 0 8050 8775 8
Audience:
Bridget is an artiste, and covers her world in drawings – but her most prized possession and key to her success, she believes, is her beret. The day this artistic chapeau took flight on a gust of wind, Bridget tried on every other hat she could find, but felt inspired by not one of them. She is pretty sure she will never draw again, until her friends ask her to make a sign, and she can’t help but add a few special flourishes…
I love the idea in this book, that inspiration comes from within, and those comfort objects may be special, but we are special without them, too. I found myself chuckling at artistic references made in her signs at the end. And I enjoyed the comic touches that kept this from being too earnest – you don’t want your lessons to be too obvious, and a dose of laughter helps them go down joyfully. This is just perfect for the artistic kid or the doubting Thomas who needs a tiny boost of self-confidence.