Review - My Big Bear, My Little Bear and Me

My Big Bear, My Little Bear and Me
by Margarita del Mazo
illustrated by Rocío Bonilla
Date: 2019
Publisher: Nube Ocho
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 36
Format: e-book
Source: NetGalley

It's good to have a bear, but this little girl has two: the big one has the strength of a giant, and the small one is as soft as cotton. Join our protagonists on her fun day out hand-in-hand with her two bears.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is a simple little book that explores the father-daughter bond. The little girl goes out to enjoy a snowy day with her two "bears"; one is her teddy, and the other is her father (wearing an adorable hat). She tells the reader what each of her bears provides for her, whether it's warmth or new friends.

The illustrations are quite cute. I like the way the father is depicted, as a sort of large, comforting presence. We don't need to see his face to understand the feelings of safety he engenders for his daughter.

I enjoyed this one. While it's not going to be for everyone (it's a bit light on story, and is really just an exploration of the relationship), it's still a sweet little picture book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Nube Ocho for providing a digital ARC.

Premise: 3/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.67 out of 5

Review - Little Bro, Big Sis

Little Bro, Big Sis
by Rocío Bonilla
Date: 2019
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 56
Format: e-book
Source: library

Siblings never get to tell their side of the story (or so it seems).

Complete with a unique flip format and Rocio Bonilla's vivacious illustrations that tell each sibling's story, this clever take on sibling rivalry shares two life lessons: sometimes it takes a sibling sharing their side of the story to realize how much they appreciate their other half; and it definitely helps to have someone on your side when a new baby arrives!

(synopsis from Goodreads)

I read another book with this premise not long ago, the forthcoming On My Mountain by François Aubineau. Little Bro, Big Sis is the same in that it's really two books in one; you read one story from the little brother's point of view, and then you flip the book over and read the story from the big sister's. The stories follow the same format, but are slightly different... until the ending.

I like how the siblings are viewed by each other (to the little brother, his big sister is a bossy rhino; to the big sister, her little brother is an annoying monkey). But eventually, they realize that they each have their good qualities... and just in time, because the household is about to be shaken up by a new arrival!

The pictures are amusing and fun to look at. The gimmick of the flippable book makes this kind of a long read, especially for bedtime. Maybe the reading could be split up over two nights. Then the kids can argue over which side of the book gets read first!

Overall, this is a fun little story about sibling rivalry. Recommended to those who already have siblings... and especially those who might be expecting another one.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.83 out of 5