Bird and Bear

PreS—Bear's friend Bird pays a visit for the cub's "bearthday" and as they prepare for an outing, Bear introduces "my friend, the other bear," whom they see in the mirror. When they reach the pier where they'll have their celebratory picnic, the other bear is there reflected in the water, along with another bird, too. However, when they throw the other animals a cupcake, the rippling water reveals that the new friends aren't real after all. A saddened Bear tells Bird that "I liked having a friend who was just like me," but he cheers up when he realizes that it's also great to have a friend who's different. This gentle celebration of friendship includes the comforting touchstones of a child's day: brushing your teeth, getting dressed, having breakfast, and discovering things with friends. James's soft line art and watercolor illustrations include plenty of details for children to find and are relaxing enough to make this a bedtime favorite.