GEORGE is a big, black grizzly bear who likes to sit and ponder life. He's a bit bored and wants to do something different.

One day, he finds a book nestled under a tree and decides he wants to learn to read. So off he sets, into the town, to find the owner of the book.

When he gets there, all the people run and scream and it's not long before he finds himself in an unusually silent school, with his hands above his head, surrounded by policemen.

Just then, little Clementine appears and gasps as she sees George holding her book. He tells her how he wants to learn to read and she agrees to teach him everything she knows, as she's learning to read too.

He learns the alphabet, listens to poetry and can soon read an entire book all by himself.

From the award-winning Emma Chichester Clark comes a story about friendship and the joy of reading - beautifully illustrated and perfect for young schoolchildren.

7/10
Review by Claire Spreadbury