Already the owner of many annuals and several "about" or "history" books, I was reticent about buying this new Rupert Companion. I should not have feared. This is a very heart warming compendium of facts and images covering the boy bear in print, on TV and in the many forms of merchandise made over the years. It is all done with great care and clear affection for its subject.
The pages are square, giving the illustrations, many printed large, space and impact not previously seen. The paper is off-white and very slightly rough, but this is no disadvantage to the reproduction of text or drawings, instead it lends the book the feel of a very pristine, but very old edition, adding - appropriately I feel - to the nostalgic tone.
All in all, after only a few minutes of gentle page flicking I knew this was a book I will treasure and revisit in the years to come.