Review: Armchair Bear, by Gavin Bishop

In Gavin Bishop’s (Tainui, Ngāti Awa) latest picture book Armchair Bear, a comfortably lazy Uncle Norman finds his peaceful existence upended when his energetic niece and nephew burst onto the scene, demanding just one game. Their arrival sparks an unexpected journey of self-improvement for the reluctant bear, however, as his quest to become ‘new and improved’ quickly turns into an all-consuming obsession, the question arises: does this new mission leave any room for the cubs who inspired it? Armchair Bear cleverly holds a mirror up to our modern fixations, holding a message that resonates for both adult readers and children.

Visually, Armchair Bear evokes a warm nostalgia. The lively pen and ink lines and muted colours create a retro feel that brings to mind the charm of Jan Berenstain’s classic Berenstain Bears. The illustrations invite little readers to linger, offering delightful details that reward closer inspection.

At its heart, Armchair Bear serves as a reminder to not only be true to ourselves, but to remember our ‘why.’ Uncle Norman began his fitness journey for his niece and nephew, only to be swept up in goals that sidelined the very family that inspired him. Bishop has created a subtle, modern fable that challenges his audience to evaluate what we are striving for, and whether our pursuits are keeping us from what matters most.