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THERE'S A BEAR IN YOUR BOOK

Name: THERE'S A BEAR IN YOUR BOOK
Author: Tom Fletcher
ISBN: 9780593703991

From the Who's in Your Book? series

by Tom Fletcher ; illustrated by Tom Fletcher ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 31, 2023

“Beary” cute and endearing; a bedtime charmer.

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Can you bear a cute bedtime story?

A night-capped brown bear stars in this adorable interactive story intended to help parents lull their little ones to sleep. Turns out those little ones are supposed to get Bear ready for a peaceful night’s slumber. The diminutive ursine is first introduced as having had a “big picnic.” Now a “very full and very tired” Bear needs a bath. This requires youngsters to shake the book vigorously to ensure Bear gets his tub “super-duper-bubbly.” Readers are invited to pop the bubbles, then to “FLAP the book like a fan” to towel Bear off. Just as Bear drifts off, youngsters having aided this effort by rocking the book, a blue monster wakes Bear up—and kids are urged to manipulate the book and perform other activities—e.g., wagging a finger, yawning, imagining five sheep, then singing them a lullaby—before Bear and a now-well-behaved Monster (and most of the sheep) finally settle down for the night. Children will be thoroughly entertained by these humorous shenanigans and, parents can only hope, feel pooped enough to easily drop off to sleep themselves, having dispatched Bear and company snugly off to dreamland. The sweet, colorful, lively illustrations incorporate large, capitalized onomatopoeic words and “instructions” for maneuvering the book; set in various fonts, these heighten visual interest and the fun. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

“Beary” cute and endearing; a bedtime charmer. (Picture book. 2-5)

Pub Date: Oct. 31, 2023

ISBN: 9780593703991

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: July 26, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2023

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A UNICORN IN YOUR BOOK
by Tom Fletcher ; illustrated by Greg Abbott

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A WITCH IN YOUR BOOK
by Tom Fletcher ; illustrated by Greg Abbott

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE’S A SUPERHERO IN YOUR BOOK
by Tom Fletcher ; illustrated by Greg Abbott

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK'S HALLOWEEN

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 5, 2016

Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes.

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A lift-the-flap book gives the littlest trick-or-treaters some practice identifying partygoers under their costumes.

Little Blue Truck and his buddy Toad are off to a party, and they invite readers (and a black cat) along for the ride: “ ‘Beep! Beep! Beep!’ / says Little Blue. / ‘It’s Halloween!’ / You come, too.” As they drive, they are surprised (and joined) by many of their friends in costume. “Who’s that in a tutu / striking a pose / up on the tiniest / tips of her toes? / Under the mask / who do you see?” Lifting the flap unmasks a friend: “ ‘Quack!’ says the duck. / ‘It’s me! It’s me!’ ” The sheep is disguised as a clown, the cow’s a queen, the pig’s a witch, the hen and her chick are pirates, and the horse is a dragon. Not to be left out, Little Blue has a costume, too. The flaps are large and sturdy, and enough of the animals’ characteristic features are visible under and around the costumes that little ones will be able to make successful guesses even on the first reading. Lovely curvy shapes and autumn colors fade to dusky blues as night falls, and children are sure to notice the traditional elements of a Halloween party: apple bobbing, lit jack-o’-lanterns, and punch and treats.

Beloved Little Blue takes a bit of the mystery—and fear—out of Halloween costumes. (Board book. 2-4)

Pub Date: July 5, 2016

ISBN: 978-0-544-77253-3

Page Count: 16

Publisher: HMH Books

Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK AND RACER RED
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- BOOK REVIEW
LITTLE BLUE TRUCK MAKES A FRIEND
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

- BOOK REVIEW
TIME FOR SCHOOL, LITTLE BLUE TRUCK
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph

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IF WE WERE DOGS

by Sophie Blackall ; illustrated by Sophie Blackall ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 16, 2025

Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say.

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A dog-loving child encourages a less-than-enthusiastic younger one to imagine they’re both canines.

From the first declaration—“I’d be a big dog! And you’d be a little one!”—readers know who’s calling the shots. Initially, the protagonists cavort off the page and through the neighborhood together, performing doggy capers such as tail wagging, stick carrying, and dirt digging. But by the time they encounter a multitude of like-minded creatures at the dog park, the disgruntled small pup is exhibiting out-and-out rebellion: “Being a dog is YOUR idea! Sometimes I HAVE IDEAS TOO!” The narrative wraps up with the younger child pretending to be a different animal entirely—cleverly foreshadowed through subtle details in the illustrations. Even the endpapers—lively silhouettes of dogs in the beginning and many different animals in closing—extend the theme to suggest the imaginative possibilities of pretend play. Cheerful, lightly hued colors fit the whimsical mood, while expressive body language allows the art to tell the story with a minimum of words. Ending on a surprising note, with a sweet compromise between the two main characters, the tale gives both kids the freedom to embrace their own preferences and styles—while still enjoying their game.

Perfect for every underdog who wants to have a say. (Picture book. 3-5)