Though a tad didactic and not as sweet as the first, Ruzzier’s second in the Bear and Bee series offers young readers an...
Bear and Bee learn that things aren’t very much fun without a friend to share them with.
In their second outing (Bear and Bee, 2013), Bear and Bee’s new friendship is tested as Bear tries to entice Bee into doing his favorite things with him, while Bee is busy with chores. Despite such diversions as rolling down the hill, climbing a tree and splashing in the pond, Bee’s chores (watering plants, cooking, sweeping) take precedence over spending time with Bear, a situation sure to be familiar to children who have similarly busy parents. Bears sums it up neatly when he remarks, “Oh Bee….Having fun is not as fun without you.” Repetitive refrains will get listeners participating and help new readers build confidence: “Come and….You will love it!... // “No thank you….I’m too busy to….” The shoe is on the other foot after Bear falls asleep and Bee wants to gaze at the moon with him. Unsurprisingly, Bear’s too busy. But Bee’s clever compromise is a happy resolution for both friends. Throughout, the simple illustrations captivate (and sometimes stun) with their Seuss-ian colors.
Though a tad didactic and not as sweet as the first, Ruzzier’s second in the Bear and Bee series offers young readers an important lesson that goes down easy. What will be next for the two friends? (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: March 18, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4231-5961-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Review Posted Online: Jan. 21, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2014
In this picture book, pink may be for boys, but colors are still not quite for everyone.
Pink, blue, yellow, and orange—all colors that are for boys, girls, popsicles, and unicorns.
With simple text and vibrant illustrations of racially diverse children playing together, this book introduces 10 colors “for boys. And girls.” For each new color, Pearlman shares an example of where to find the color: on sports uniforms, crowns, race cars, and teddy bears. Each color is presented in simple, repetitive text on verso (alternating which gender as specified first) with a vignette on recto and then on the next, full-bleed double-page spread. Kaban’s illustrations of children dancing, running, and flying on winged unicorns add an element of liveliness to keep the repetition from turning stale. Colored type that corresponds with the name of each introduced color encourages young readers to participate in the story. Although the book shares the message that “all colors are for everyone,” the lead-up to this conclusion perpetuates the notion that gender is binary. The statement that “PINK [or blue, yellow, etc.] is for boys. And girls” leaves out anyone who might not fit those categories until the end. Even the examples for pink and blue reinforce stereotypical associations for the colors, since pink is for “bows on fancy clothes” and blue is for “uniforms on a team.” For a book that aims at inclusiveness, this one misses the bull’s-eye.
In this picture book, pink may be for boys, but colors are still not quite for everyone. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: June 5, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-7624-6247-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Lovely and sweet.
As winter nears, a squirrel and a bird forge a friendship.
When autumn comes, Squirrel gets busy, dashing up and down trees to gather nuts. He’s in the middle of a good rest when a little bird lands next to him. Squirrel offers a nut to eat, but the bird eats only worms. A little gentle coaxing gets the bird to try it, and: “Nuts are delicious!” he declares. Squirrel invites the bird to climb, but he doesn’t know how. Instead he flies up to meet his new friend, sitting on the topmost branch of the tree and sweetly singing; it gives Squirrel goosebumps. Squirrel can’t sing, but he can hum, and they make beautiful music together. The day gets even better when they play and climb, jump and hop, fly and spring; and sing all day long! At the end of the day, they sit on the grass together, eating and watching the sunset. “And that’s how Squirrel and the bird stayed together. And it didn’t matter at all that they were very different. It was exactly right, just the way it was.” Schomburg and Röttgen present their lesson on diversity and celebrating it with a deft touch, their focus on the characters’ experiences keeping the book from ever sounding didactic. Julian gives both characters, especially Squirrel, sweet and gentle demeanors; their woodland playscape is suffused with bright, warm colors.
Lovely and sweet. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-68010-031-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tiger Tales
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016
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