What is a bear to do when he's hot and bothered? Head down to the river of course!

In this delightful picturebook which sees [b:Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise|22292490|Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise|Sean Taylor|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1415587805s/22292490.jpg|41679270] Sean Taylor and [b:Wild|17318511|Wild|Emily Hughes|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1380699885s/17318511.jpg|23987574] Emily Hughes partner up to tell a story of a young bear and his father and their descent to the water of a hot day. With the little bear as our narrator, we see a beautiful relationship unfold through word and image together. Little bear mimics his father's phrases and soon leads the way, with daddy bear happy to let him. It is only when baby bear trips and hurts himself that dad intervenes and yet, it is here that baby bear shows some independence and chooses to continue leading the way down to the river.

It's difficult to emphasise how great an illustrator Emily Hughes (her pencil drawings and texturing make for such a rich and inviting landscape - the double-page spread of the bears heading home is one of my favourites) is and how touchingly Taylor captures the relationship between father and son. The idea that the baby bear feels the need to impress dad and yet dad holds back, allows baby bear to make mistakes yet is always there to support him is a beautiful message and invitation for boys and their fathers to do the same.