ARMCHAIR BEAR

Bruins Bosco and Brenda inspire their lounging uncle to “come out and play!”

Norman is an ursine schlub, his embonpoint swelling up from his comfy recliner, adjacent half-eaten cupcake and TV remote handy. When he gamely tries to comply with the cubs’ pleas, it’s a plodding struggle. But a TV commercial for Apex Gym offering the opportunity for “a new you” catches his attention. Norman drives to the gym, beginning his quest for change. Naturally, this couch potato is tempted to return to his carbs and comforts, but he notices the admiration that muscular Gorilla Dilla receives and keeps at it, jogging to the gym and lifting heavier weights. Though he’s fit, he’s working out so often that he has no time for the cubs—and he’s seduced by a new goal: winning a gorilla power-lifting competition. “But you’re not a gorilla,” Brenda notes. Indeed, he’s lost sight of his identity, though the gorillas have not. Recidivism looms, but his abandoned armchair now sports a spectacular spiderweb. Norman’s unwilling to disturb the spider, and, in a delightful ending, cubs and uncle head out for days of camping, fishing, and climbing trees and hills “like only bears can.” Bishop’s attractive, immensely expressive scribbly green-and-blue line drawings show how convert fervor can carry us away. Repeat readings guaranteed; kids will enjoy spotting the spider well before she spins her web.

A charming and clever psychodrama about finding a happy medium.