Review - A Library Book for Bear

A Library Book for Bear (Bear and Mouse)
by Bonny Becker
illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton
Date: 2014
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: library

Curmudgeonly Bear succumbs to Mouse’s entreaties and discovers the joy of books in a hilarious story that fans will covet for their own library.

Bear does not want to go to the library. He is quite sure he already has all the books he will ever need. Yet the relentlessly cheery Mouse, small and gray and bright-eyed, thinks different. When Bear reluctantly agrees to go with his friend to the big library, neither rocket ships nor wooden canoes are enough for Bear’s picky tastes. How will Mouse ever find the perfect book for Bear? Children will giggle themselves silly as Bear’s arguments give way to his inevitable curiosity, leading up to a satisfying story hour and a humorously just-right library book.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Bear really doesn't like change. He likes his routine, and the seven books on his mantel, thank you very much. So when Mouse takes him to the library, Bear is sure he won't find anything he wants to read. It takes getting sucked in by storytime for Bear to see that the library just might have something to offer him after all.

Like A Bedtime for Bear, this book features charming illustrations with great facial expressions on the characters (especially Bear). The message about trying new things is good. I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as A Bedtime for Bear, though they're pretty close. I'd like to read more of Bear and Mouse's adventures; unfortunately, our library isn't as well stocked as the one in this book.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.67 out of 5