This warm-hearted book is one in a series about the two friends Ernest, a big bear, and Celestine, a little mouse. They may appear an unlikely pair, but their friendship is rock solid.

When Celestine finds some discarded books of fabric samples she persuades Ernest to take them home, and together they sew a big pink bed quilt.

The finished quilt ends up on Ernest’s bed. But Celestine is so pleased with it that she then wants one for her own bed, too.

The hard-pressed Ernest kindly obliges. Shortly after, a smaller blue version is all ready for Celestine’s use – and she promptly falls asleep under it.

Vincent’s delicate drawings convey the story beautifully. As well as plenty of humour, the book packs a real emotional punch as you see through their kind actions the affection each friend has for the other.

Gabrielle Vincent was a pseudonym of Monique Martin (1928-2000), a Belgian writer and illustrator. An animated movie of Ernest and Celestine was released in 2012.

See also Breakfast Time, Ernest and Celestine.