A BIRTHDAY FOR BEAR

Fans of the 2008 picture book A Visitor for Bear will delight in this second offering from Becker and Denton about curmudgeonly Bear and his intrepidly friendly—not to mention “small and gray and bright-eyed”—visitor, Mouse. This time, however, the book is an early reader, welcoming new readers to independently encounter this odd couple’s deepening friendship. At book’s opening, although Bear has accepted Mouse’s presence, he rejects all presents and denies Mouse’s efforts to celebrate his birthday. Undaunted, Mouse persists in showing up in a variety of disguises to deliver all sorts of goodies and gifts. As in their earlier picture book, Mouse draws up on the sheer force of his cheery goodwill to chip away at Bear’s resolve, ultimately succeeding in forging a deeper bond between them. The text is broken into four chapters, and it reads as a well-pitched combination of humorous dialogue and omniscient commentary. Meanwhile, the energetic ink-and-watercolor illustrations brim with humor while firmly establishing Mouse and Bear as friends new readers will enjoy visiting time and again. (Early reader. 6-8)