BEARS! BEARS! BEARS!
by Bob Barner & illustrated by Bob Barner
A survey of eight bear species, some familiar, others likely to be new to readers. “Bears! Bears! Bears! / I want to see a world of bears.” The gently rhyming text introduces readers to a single fact about each of the bears, most having to do with habits or diet: “Giant pandas munch bamboo with a snap. / Spectacled bears cuddle up for a nap.” Other highlighted species include polar, sun, grizzly, sloth, moon and black bears. As with many of his titles, Barner’s brilliantly colored collages outshine the text. His furry, cuddly bears will have broad appeal. Backmatter includes a spread of baby-bear facts, one for each species, and a map showing the bears’ global locations, with color-coded pawprints indicating range. Removed and unfolded, the dust jacket becomes a “Bears of the World” poster featuring an enlarged version of this map. With its relative paucity of facts, this is more of a bare introduction for the youngest learners than a book for established bear enthusiasts. (Informational picture book. 2-6)