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THE SNOW BEAR

Name: THE SNOW BEAR
Author: Miriam Moss
ISBN: 0-525-46658-4

by Miriam Moss & illustrated by Maggie Kneen ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2001

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Soft snow falls on this delightful story of a young bear’s trust that his mother will find him. Little white bear has become separated from his mother, and decides to wait for her to find him. In the meantime, he starts to make a snow mother to keep him company. As he piles it up, Musk Ox comes and helps him, using his strong shoulder to shift the snow. Then comes Snow Goose, who uses her webbed feet to pat it down. From Moose and Fox, to Wolf and Hare, each of the animals uses their own special strengths to help. Just as they finish, the sun sets and their own mothers call them home . . . all but Little White Bear, who is left alone to cuddle against the snow sculpture. After a warm night, though, the sculpture melts and Little White Bear’s own beloved mother finds him at last. Moss (This Is the Tree, 2000, etc.) beautifully portrays the fact that Mom will always find her child, although hopefully no human child will have to wait as long as Little White Bear does. Young children will love to touch these pages—thick card stock allows Kneen (The Golden Egg, not reviewed, etc.) to add texture—the animals feel furry, and the snow has depth. Her gentle illustrations are quite realistic, and the darker animals pop out from the white, snow-covered background. A warm tribute to the love of a child for its mother with a gimmick that doesn’t detract. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2001

ISBN: 0-525-46658-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Dutton

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2001

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
GIRL ON A PLANE
by Miriam Moss

- BOOK REVIEW
THIS IS THE MOUNTAIN
by Miriam Moss illustrated by Adrienne Kennaway

- BOOK REVIEW
A BABYSITTER FOR BILLY BEAR
by Miriam Moss & illustrated by Anna Currey

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IT'S MY BIRD-DAY!

From the Pigeon series

by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2026

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending.

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Don’t let the Pigeon ruin his own special day!

Anyone who has ever encountered the title character in any of his books—whether his first, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (2003), or one of its many sequels—will understand that the bird’s innate self-love drives his every interaction. Little wonder, then, that he’s thrilled about his own “bird-day.” He has the hat. He has his “FANCY PLUMAGE.” And, best of all, he will get to blow out a candle “on my bird-day hot dog!” As he revels in the knowledge that this day is all for him, comeuppance is lurking. Someone has already blown out the bird-day candle—and eaten half the hot dog. It turns out that the Pigeon’s frenemy, the Duckling, has the same bird-day—as do a slew of newly hatched chicks. The Pigeon’s obligatory eight-panel freakout ensues. “What am I—invisible? I just want to be seen,” he whimpers, and when he receives some much-needed reassurance, he settles down and willingly shares his special day. While the switch from unapologetic narcissism to mature acceptance happens in the record-breaking span of two pages, the book is as enchanting as the Pigeon’s earlier outings. Even as it walks in the footsteps of its predecessors, there’s no denying the fun to be had.

Familiarity breeds a birthday for the ages in this party worth attending. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: March 31, 2026

ISBN: 9781454999621

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Union Square Kids

Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2026

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

- BOOK REVIEW
THE MONSTER AND PUPPET SHOW!
by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci ; illustrated by Mo Willems & Kate Micucci

- BOOK REVIEW
THE PIGEON WON'T COUNT TO 10!
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

- BOOK REVIEW
WILL THE PIGEON GRADUATE?
by Mo Willems ; illustrated by Mo Willems

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HEDGEHOGS DON'T WEAR UNDERWEAR

by Marissa Valdez ; illustrated by Marissa Valdez ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2025

Sure to have little ones giggling.

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Jacques is a hedgehog with a big secret: “I wear real, bona fide underwear.”

Our narrator received a mysterious package one day; an illustration shows a pair of underwear tied to a balloon with a note “from the Universe” floating down into Jacques’ burrow. Hedgehogs don’t wear underwear, however. Will Jacques be shunned? Jacques worries but comes to a decision: “I have to wear them. When I do I feel special.” Determined, Jacques, who’s been invited to a party, makes a dramatic entrance, with undies in hand. Jacques’ declaration (“I WEAR UNDERWEAR”) is met with remarks of dismay, before another hedgehog opens up about similar fears and shows off a pair of cowboy boots. More hedgehogs introduce themselves with their own confessions. The story ends with Jacques unveiling a painting of the underwear in a gallery filled with hedgehogs wearing all sorts of attire. Though the book is simple in plot, characters, and setting, it wins in its balance of bathroom humor, dramatic storytelling, and celebrations of individual expression. French words are peppered throughout, adding to the fun without detracting from the story for those unfamiliar with the language. The cartoonish illustrations brim with fun; Valdez relies heavily on geometric shapes (triangle noses for the hedgehogs; huge circles for their eyes). Details such as speech bubbles and recurring turtle and snake characters contribute to the outlandish humor.

Sure to have little ones giggling. (Picture book. 3-5)