A Library Book for Bear

Reclusive Bear reluctantly accompanies extrovert Mouse on a library visit. Mouse's reminders about using one's "library voice" go unheeded, and Bear is hushed by another patron. He prepares to leave, but he's stopped in his huffy tracks when he overhears a librarian reading a story. The hooray-for-books message is served subtly. Bear's grouchiness and Mouse's joie de vivre come through in Denton's expressive lines.

In their fifth picture book (beginning with A Visitor for Bear, rev. 3/08), recluse Bear and extrovert Mouse take their odd-couple routine to the library. Although Bear has "seven very nice books at home," including "one about pickles," he reluctantly accompanies Mouse on a library visit, where Mouse tries to interest his grumpy friend in something new. Bear is adamant (and a little too loud): "A good book about pickles is all I require!" Mouse's gentle reminders about using one's "library voice" go unheeded, and eventually Bear is hushed by another patron. He prepares to leave ("I know when I'm not wanted"), but he's stopped in his huffy tracks when he overhears a librarian reading a story about a "Very Brave Bear" who finds a treasure chest full of gold and diamond pickle slices. Bear is hooked. The hooray-for-books message is served subtly, with the focus on Bear's funny outbursts and un-library-like behavior. As always, Bear's grouchiness and Mouse's joie de vivre come through in Denton's expressive lines. This is one book to check out--over and over. kitty flynn