Bear, a joy-filled creature, is having a lovely relaxing time traipsing through a chalky bright meadow with nothing to do but rest, splash, scratch, swing and skip. His bucolic world is enticing him, but he’s in trouble with bee who wants to collect pollen, mole who wants to dig, heron who wants to fish, fox who wants to sleep and woodpecker who wants to peck holes. Why? Because they are busy, and bear is in the way. Each distressed animal’s complaint is in almost the same words creating a cumulative tale, simple to follow and enjoy. Bear is likable and responds sympathetically to each animal’s protest. Finally, the animals recognize how much fun he is. In her sunny scenes, Kolanovic sprinkles humorous touches throughout; for instance, one of the fish who escaped heron sticks out its tongue and spits, “blah.” Playing with friends really is the thing to like best. (Picture book. 2-5)
