Review by Booklist Review
Herman the bear and Henry the raccoon are best friends, with their own games, tree house, and secret handshake. When Henry has to move away, they promise to write and remain best friends. Communicating by mail isn't the same, but just before hibernation, Herman receives a letter asking him to visit Henry. He resolutely packs his bag and begins an adventurous trek over snowy mountains to find his friend. After he bonks his head on a tree and knocks himself out, a helpful postman boxes him up and delivers him to Henry's house, where he snoozes until spring. The story's emotional content will resonate with any child whose friend has moved away, and the cartoonlike journey sequence is entertaining on its own. Colorful and expressive, Percival's illustrations have plenty of kid appeal. Five little letters, folded over and glued to the book's pages, add a nice interactive feature for one-on-one reading sessions. This offbeat, gently amusing fantasy is recommended for larger collections.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2015 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Henry the raccoon, best friend to Herman the bear, hasn't just moved away-based on his letters, which extol great weather, new friends, and a hot-air balloon ride, it sounds like Henry has moved on, too. The dejected Herman doesn't respond to Henry's missives, and he is on the verge of hibernation when another letter from Henry reaffirms their friendship, convincing Herman that he must respond by any means necessary. Percival (Jack's Amazing Shadow) uses lift-the-flap letters to give concrete reality to the friends' correspondence, and his portrayal of Herman's vulnerability is touching and funny. The second half of the book falters, though, as the letters are supplanted by Herman's ain't-no-mountain-high-enough quest to reach Henry. Percival expertly composes his vignettes, evoking snow and cold with splatters of white and washes of pale turquoise, but the writing is overly literal, and the slapstick humor creates some confusion (Herman disconcertingly slips directly from unconsciousness to hibernation). An abrupt ending, which crams in an eleventh-hour conflict regarding Herman's snoring, doesn't do justice to these friends' devotion. Ages 3-6. (Nov.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Best buddies Herman, a chocolate-colored bear, and Henry, a magenta raccoon, spend all of their time together, playing tiddlywinks, inventing games, and hanging out in their pirate tree house. Both are devastated when Henry has to move away, promising to write and "stay best friends forever." However, when Herman receives Henry's missives about his exciting new life and new chums, the bear is left feeling lonely, jealous, and too miserable to reply. Just when it's time for him to hibernate, he gets a letter from Henry, reaffirming their bond and inviting him to visit. The ecstatic bear pens an enthusiastic reply and rushes out to mail it, only to discover that the post office is closed for the winter. Refusing to be deterred, he sets off to deliver the letter himself-setting off on an epic journey (across "creaking crevices," up steep cliffs and frozen waterfalls, down a treacherous mountain slope) that eventually reunites him with his much-pined-for friend. Filled with amusing details, the dynamic artwork fuels the text with action and humor, and lift-the-flap letters add an appealing interactive element. This book proves that true friendship endures despite distance and duress.- Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Bear Herman finds it hard to reply to his raccoon best friend Henry's letters about exciting new friends and experiences, but one letter prompts Herman to hand-deliver his response, setting him on an adventurous journey to visit the friend he so misses. Friends separated by a move will identify with Herman's vulnerability. Spirited illustrations and lift-the-flap letters add some interest to the rambling story. (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Best friends Herman and Henry pledge to stay that way through letters when Henry has to move. Pink raccoon Henry is the first to tap out a note on his typewriter to his best buddy, bear Herman, when he settles into his new digs. Unfortunately, a quick mention of Henry's new friends sets off a fit of jealous pique. Herman is so jealous that he cannot face writing back. Despite the lack of response, dedicated pal Henry keeps writing. Finally, something in Henry's letters stirs Herman, and he finally writes back. Unfortunately, the post office has already started its hibernation, and sleepy bear Herman is left to deliver the letter in person. Henry's letters are presented beneath lift-the-flap envelopes, adding realistic fun to the straightforward story. Humorous illustrations, including one especially funny thought bubble in which Herman imagines the fun that Henry is having with his new friends, are rendered in pencil and marker, with Henry's bright pink fur popping from the pages. Herman is shown in darker colors, often in the rain or with smoke swirling about him. Occasional panels are mixed with full-page spreads, allowing readers to see all the places Herman goes in order to deliver his important letter. Hibernation, dedication and one long-distance friendship that will never be forgotten: a must-have when a friend moves away. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
