Bears and a Birthday

January 1, 2015

PreS-In this sweet birthday tale, the cuddly bears from Bears on Chairs (2009) and Bears in Beds (2012, both Candlewick) are busy getting ready to celebrate. It is Big Brown Bear's birthday so his friends make him a cake and wrap a present to show how much they care. The text is light and fun with an easy-to-read rhythm and rhyme. "Floppy looks out with/flour on her chin./ 'Sorry, Big Bear./ Too soon to come in!'" The illustrations, done in acrylic, are soft and fuzzy. This story a good choice for birthday collections, but the bears are endearing enough to be enjoyed any day of the year.-Laura Stanfield, Campbell County Public Library, Ft. Thomas, KY

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2014
Get ready for a very special party!"The makings for / a cake are there. / The recipe's ready. / Where are the bears?" Parenteau's four furry friends are sweet as pie and ready to bake a cake-but for whom? It just might be for Big Brown Bear, who is having a birthday. Rhythmic text bounces along as Yellow, Calico, Fuzzy and Floppy mix and measure while following a recipe. Gentle and full of charm, this is a nice selection for toddlers and very young readers, who will appreciate the clear story, repetition and obvious affection shared among the lovable characters. Warm acrylic illustrations in a slightly-brighter-than-pastel palette show the round, appealing young bears as they wrap a present and don festive party hats. But wait, there's more! "The four bears shout, / 'Surprise, Big Bear!' / Here's why we / were busy in there!" Readers familiar with the series will be happy to revisit these good friends, while those new to the furry foursome will have a satisfying surprise in store. Preschoolers will enjoy this very festive celebration. (Picture book. 2-5)

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July 1, 2015
In the fourth title about the four small bears (Bears on Chairs; etc.), they prepare a birthday cake for Big Brown Bear's surprise party. Soft, pastel-colored acrylic illustrations capture the exuberant cubs' sloppy, heartfelt efforts, especially wrapping the gift--a royal-blue ball. Jaunty rhymes and the perfect amount of tension make for a terrific preschool storytime read-aloud.

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)