Review by Booklist Review
This endearing tale follows two overheated bears as they trek from their hilltop home to a rolling river oasis. Though Little Bear is eager to beat the heat of the blazing sun, the journey is not an easy one: the distance is expansive, and the terrain is stone-scattered and steep. The tricky topography is perfect for providing Little Bear with surmountable obstacles like jumping from rock to rock and Dad Bear with teachable moments I think a brave bear is probably the bravest thing in the world! The landscape, populated with basking frogs, grazing mountain goats, and observing birds, is also perfect for showcasing Hughes' luminous illustrative style. Her sprawling line work, blushing oranges, and verdant greens breathe life into Taylor's already tender tone. The playful cadence of Taylor's sparing text and the vibrancy of words like jumpiest! make this ideal for reading aloud. Whether it's used for reading or listening, this glowing anecdote is sure to appeal to the overly ambitious Little Bear in each of us.--Shemroske, Briana Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
"I think a pair of hot bears is probably the hottest thing in the world," Little Bear's father says. Little Bear, the story's narrator, has an idea: he and Dad can cool off in the river. Heady with his father's approbation, Little Bear decides to further impress him by leaping between the rocks on the trail instead of making the "small jumps" that Dad advises. A fall bruises the cub's knee and his budding sense of independence, but only briefly; declining Dad's offer to carry him to the river, "I decided to go on my own," he tells readers. Taylor's (Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise) concise narration is resonant with developmental authenticity and psychological insight, with just enough repetition to lend a pleasing lilt; it's the emotional heart of this story. Hughes (The Little ) brings it home with instantly endearing characters and fine, fluid pencil texturing that has a marvelous plasticity, whether it's delineating the bears' shaggy coats, the bark of a tree, or the swirling waters of the river. Ages 2-5. Illustrator's agent: Stephen Barr, Writers House. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-A young bear tells about a trip to the river with Dad and his attempt to demonstrate his jumping skills. It's such a hot day that the cub suggests that he and his dad go to the river to cool off. The trip is long, though, with grassy and bushy parts and many rocks to negotiate. Anxious to show his dad how he can do a big jump, the little one ignores his parent's advice to "just do small" ones, gets himself ready, and falls over. His failure makes the cub sad, his knee hurts, and he's so hot that he doesn't even want to go to the river. Dad proposes they sit for awhile, and when they do continue their journey, the youngster walks bravely on by himself, refusing his father's offer to carry him. Taylor's brilliant text offers no moralizing or attempts by Dad to force his son to continue on before he is ready. Hughes's illustrations, created in pencil and digitally colored, depict a range of expressions on the bears' faces: their animated, attentive conversation; young bear's determination to display his skills and his frown at failure; Dad's comforting expression; and the obvious enjoyment the two share as they play together in the water. An orange sun shines in large swaths of yellow-red sky, suffusing forest scenes with palpable heat. VERDICT The brief text and the message that bravery is simply carrying on in spite of failure make this a fine offering for youngsters just trying their wings.-Marianne Saccardi, Children's Literature Consultant, Greenwich, CT © Copyright 2016. 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.
