'The Bear in the Stars' by Alexis Snell

A beautiful, lyrical picture book - a timely fable about climate change and the transformative power of kindness. A beautiful and inspirational gift for readers of all ages.

'There was once a bear, a great, white bear - Queen of Beasts. Her kingdom was a beautiful, cold, glistening place. But over the years the ice disappeared, slipping away like sand through an hourglass. Slowly, slowly, one by one, the other animals moved on.'

The Great Bear has no choice but to leave her snowy realm to search for food, friends and a new home. She soon discovers a world that is growing hotter whilst hearts grow colder - until one small act of kindness changes everything. 'The Bear in the Stars' is a story about loss, kindness and new beginnings.

After completing a Fine Art Printmaking degree at University of Wales Institute, Cardiff in 2003, Alexis came here to The Art Shop on a residency and produced an amazing body of lino block prints of Abergavenny. Since then Alexis has worked with poets, writers and publishers. Very recently she worked on a commission for the Victoria & Albert Museum after being selected from a group of artists to design and make a ‘cabinet of curiosities’ which has been cast in bronze and is situated in the British Galleries. For inspiration, she looks to old matchbox covers, record sleeves, tea boxes, postcards, explorers, the circus and films. Alexis has designed many book covers and illustrated Dr Who: Twelve Angels Weeping but The Bear in the Stars is her first book as an author-illustrator.

Published by Penguin.