Nop

by Caroline Magerl

Nop is a scruffy kind of bear. He sits on a dusty armchair in Oddmint's Dumporeum surrounded by the beaders, knitters, patchers and stitchers who are much too busy to talk to him. So he watches the litter tumble until, armed with a new bow tie, he has an idea that will change his life forever.

This story began with a memory of Caroline's school holidays in Sydney. Her father was welding a steel yacht in a boat yard and she wandered off . . . only to discover the local dump, a home for the things people throw out! Many years later, her daughter Jen made a teddy bear out of scraps for her father. It's a very sorry-looking, but endearing creature. Named Roadkill, ten years later it still sits on top of his desk.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 4, 2025

About the author

Caroline Magerl was born in a small German town near Frankfurt and came to Australia when she was two. Soon after, in a suburban Sydney backyard, her parents built a yacht which became a home and way of life. Until Caroline was fourteen, the family sailed the east coast of Australia. At sixteen, Caroline joined another yacht, crossing the Tasman Sea to New Zealand. After the return voyage she worked as a cook, painting in her spare time. Caroline now works as an artist, illustrator and printmaker and received an ASA children's picture book illustrators' grant to work on Hasel and Rose. She has exhibited widely overseas and in Australia.

Reviews

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not quite even sure what happens in this beautiful, beautiful picture book, but who cares? Caroline Magerl’s dreamy illustrations would make this a five-star book with no words at all.

In the interest of complete disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Walker Books Australia in exchange for an honest review.

[Camille Simard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5⭐️. Un très belle album qui montre qu’au lieu d’attendre que la vie fasse les choses pour nous, il vaut mieux prendre les choses en mains. Ça me rappel bcp un de mes films préférer : l’ourson tangerine ❤️

[Dylan Davison]

Quite a Heartwarming story.

[Mary Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is something really special. An economy of language captures the mood and atmosphere of each page as we are drawn into the story until forgetting about the world around all around. There is nothing but the activity in Oddmints Dumporeum and the feelings of a small, forgotten teddy, fired by gloriously descriptive language. Poetic illustrations create a dreamlike world in motion, wafting, changing; perfectly real and perfectly enchanted at once. Every page is an utter delight, filled with wonder and detail that tugs on the heart and imagination. The colour palette shifts ever so slightly to evoke the texture of emotion as the tale builds...but builds compassionately, thoughtfully. Yet it still manages to have those breath-catching moments of anticipation. A tale of adventure that has at its heart a sense of being and belonging, knowing and hoping. A story every child (and grown-up!) will cherish for years, Nop is cosy and comforting, exquisitely beautiful in all ways and filled with a sense of magical possibility.

[Melissa Blizzard · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world of imaginary children's toys exists a small bear named Nop who finds himself rather ordinary. Perhaps Nop wishes he has friends, as he watches the characters at Oddmint's Dumporeum toil and sort through scraps of fabric, ribbons, and buttons around him. He adores the sparkly material, buttons, and other materials which seems to be available in ample supply for anyone who needs them. However, he behaves as if he feels just a bit out of place as he contemplates and enjoys his imaginary world. when he finds a red ribbon perfectly suitable for a bowtie and enough fabric scraps to create his own hot air balloon, he quickly sets off to find adventure. He marvels at the world below him as he soars through the sky with no clear destination planned upon-- he simply wants to know what splendid things are out there waiting for him to discover.

Young readers will adore the unique water-color illustrations which display a world rarely looked upon. The narrative is clear and distinctively written with the author's own writing voice. Nop is a friend to all-- though he does question the world and chooses to discover the adventure which awaits just around the corner. This beloved character will surely bring happy moments and splendid adventures to all who read this book.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nop is a very plain, worn out teddy bear who seeks a brighter future. As others in the jumbled (possibly toy shop) Dumporeum find new homes Nop realises that he will have to seek his own future. He builds an amazing balloon as a way out and takes off to find a new home and a friend.
Varied sentences incorporate a rich, descriptive vocabulary painting pictures in the mind - "The wind stole around the heaping heap and it harried, gnawed and tugged, and then,with a puff as light as dandelion fluff..." Text is placed thoughtfully in a varied layout that incorporates a range of spreads and white space to emphasise feelings and progression that add the overall atmosphere. Whimsical illustrations using watercolour washes and free-flowing ink lines a re perfect for this gentle story.
A lovely gentle book for perhaps 7 to 9 year olds, a bit too obscure for the very young.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fans of The Velveteen Rabbit might like this picture book, which gave me similar vibes as that children's classic. Nop, a stuffed bear, has seen better days, and he's a rather plain bear with no embellishments to make others notice him. Tired of being overlooked, he sets off on an adventure, donning a red bow tie from the leftovers of the workers who create accessories for toys like him. He even gathers enough fabric to make a balloon, which takes him to a faraway place and what he's been longing for all along--a friend. This touching, special story is complemented by artwork, created with ink and watercolor, that is almost magical and will have readers believing that such a stuffie as Nop really can exist.

[Andrea W · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story that understands the urge to belong and the eternal search for finding just the right space to just be. Nop no longer wanting to be at the shop, perpetually forgotten and picked over, decides instead to embark on an adventure of epic proportions flying far above those shelves, on which he’s been gathering dust.

Enchanting and immersive, with radiant illustrations all dreamy and colorful, seeped in watercolor and emotion and brimming with possibility, Nop’s sweet tale of determination and self acceptance is perfect for all ages and tailor made for bedtime snuggles.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the tradition of all great sentient stuffed bears, Nop will pull at your heartstrings. Overlooked in the resale shop day after day, Nop takes matters into his own hands, crafting a balloon in which to sail away to a happy destiny. Rich illustrations accompany heartfelt text that reassures the reader of both one's influence on one's own destiny as well as the existence of a place for everyone. Nop is beautiful and emotional, and I absolutely recommend it.

[Bailey Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nop is a precious, reminiscent, adorable, unique, and darling read! This book reminds me of The Tangerine Bear, one of my favorite childhood movies. It features a precious teddy bear who is waiting for someone to take him to his forever home. Unlike the other stuffed animals he will not change himself or dress up. Eventually Nop is left alone. Instead of giving up Nop decides venture out and find his own home. Nop finds someone who will cherish him forever.

[Erica Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply lovely. I was seduced by the cover art. And once inside the book, I remained enchanted by the vibrant illustrations which shimmered with magic and wonder.

The art really carried the story. In most picture books, the art is an accompaniment to the words. In this book, the words are an accompaniment to the art. This book truly is a visual treat.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A worn teddy bear in a thrift shop waits to be chosen but when that doesn’t happen, he decides to take matters into his own hands and set out on an adventure. I really love the gentle but empowering message that you don’t sit around waiting for life to happen to you but you have the power to make wonderful things happen for yourself. The watercolor illustrations are really charming and sweet.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Nop. He is beautiful! Even before he gets is beautiful bowtie. The illustrations here are just gorgeous and the use of colour through all the muted tones is stunning. I can see why it is up for awards.

[Melina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful language and illustrations, but definitely a bit different from other picture books. Good for a just before bed read.

Could be used in the classroom to explore the language and making things from old goods.

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Magical visuals, but I thought the story was only OK.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical! The illustrations are beautiful and loved Nop’s bowtie.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and magical story about a cute, imaginative and innovative scruffy bear.
Beautiful illustrations.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book. Words and illustrations are gorgeous. The theme seemed to me a little reminiscent of Shaun Tan's Cicada - escaping from adversity.

[Dactylaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

je fonds 🥹 moi je veux bien t’adopter nop, viens à la maison

[Iminie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Très mignon !

[Bronny Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and illustrated brilliantly

[Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

netgalley ARC - this was sweet! The illustrations are hard to parse at times, but still very charming. I like the ending.

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 1/3

I found this inspiring.

[S46354595 · Rating 5 out of 5]

nop

[Chantal HK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nop le petit nounours des objets perdus en a assez d'attendre qu'on vienne le chercher, qu'on le choisisse. Alors il prend la décision de passer à l'action, de prendre les choses en main et de fabriquer son bonheur, sous la forme d'un ballon cousu de retailles que le vent emportera vers un ami improbable tout aussi solitaire et ravi d'acceuillir notre petit évadé.
Nop est un album qui saura certainement ravir plusieurs lecteurs, mais pour ma part quelque chose ne m'a pas totalement séduite. Il y a certes des éléments très touchants dans ce récit, et j'ai vraiment le désir de m'attacher à ce petit ourson tout mignon, mais ça ne s'est pas tant produit.
Je ne saurais dire si c'est le chaos des images, ou le texte qui semble décousu (peut-être volontairement?) ou les enchaînements pas aussi bien ficelés que je l'aurais souhaité, mais dans l'ensemble, c'était bien mais sans plus.

[idreamofallthebooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of two unlikely individuals who form a friendship and learn to embrace who they are!

The moral of the story is one that appears often in children’s fiction, and that message is deciding how you value yourself and how important it is to not let others determine and dictate how you act. Magerl blends this message into a simple poetic form that is easy to read and easy to understand. Besides the words, the absolute standout feature of this work is the stunning watercolours that adorn every page! The strong lines around the main features of the creatures and the washed colour gives the story a magical edge that can be enjoyed by all!

Thank you for @walkerbooksaus for gifting me a copy to review!

[Emma Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story and some great visuals.

[Marie-helene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book! I adored the story and the illustrations.

[Sandy Arr · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 🌟