Review by Booklist Review
McPhail's newest offers young readers a memorable lesson about an important concept. On their way home, a mother bear and her cub engage in a lively conversation about promises. After learning the importance of keeping them, the cub drills his mother with a series of questions about what else she promises, and Baby Bear pledges to be a good bear . . . most of the time. Mother Bear assures her cub many things, and though she neither promises to know everything nor guarantee his happiness, one oath she is certain to keep is to love her cub always and forever! McPhail's signature combination of muted pastel tones and pen-and-ink details create the proper mood for this endearing read. Thought-provoking text laces page after page of comforting and eye-catching bucolic scenes. McPhail's apt use of light and shadow captures tranquil changes from daylight to nighttime as mother and baby journey home. Great as a conversation starter, a parent-child bonding moment, or a cuddly bedtime read.--Lock, Anita Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
When Baby Bear asks Mother Bear to sing to him, she promises that she will-later-which leads into a contemplative conversation of what promises mean. As the bears make their way through a forest and meadow on their way back to their den, Mother Bear explains that there are some things she can't promise, such as that Baby Bear will always be happy. ("Your happiness will depend mostly on you," she says. "But I will do everything I can to help.") McPhail's lush naturescapes provide an expansive backdrop for the bears' intimate discussions and tender moments, which will be instantly recognizable to parents and children alike. Ages 4-8. Agent: Faith Hamlin, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-A charming book that centers on a complex subject. Baby Bear asks his mother, "What's a promise?" and Mother Bear answers in a simple way so her young cub can understand. She explains what it means to make a promise and what it means when one is broken. When Baby Bear asks her if she promises that he will always be happy, Mother Bear lets him know that that is not possible. She does say that she will do what she can to help but his happiness ultimately depends upon him. His mother does promise to feed him, play with him, and keep him safe. She also promises to love him forever...no matter what. The conversation between Mother Bear and Baby Bear is worded in a childlike way. The illustrations, done in pen-and-ink and watercolor, are soft and appealing. As readers follow the two characters throughout the events during the day, it's interesting to be reminded that they are still animals as they exhibit typical bear behavior. They are depicted playing in the river, climbing a tree, and getting honey from a beehive. VERDICT This book does a good job getting its reassuring message across in a manner that young ones can understand. A perfect choice for one-on-one sharing.-Barbara Spiri, Southborough Library, MA © Copyright 2017. 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
In this purposeful but amiable story, Mother Bear and her child discuss what it means to make and keep a promise. She vows to take care of Baby Bear and love him "no matter what." For his part, Baby Bear promises to be good, "most of the time." The pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations provide attractive woodland backdrops for the winsome bears' conversation. (c) Copyright 2018. 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
A wise mother bear teaches her cub all about promises as they enjoy a day spent together.When Baby Bear asks Mother Bear to sing to him, she tells him, "Later.I promise!" This leads him to ask what "promise" means. In Mother Bear's voice, McPhail proves he is a genius in communicating at a child's level in simple language: "A promise is when you say you will do somethingand then do your very best to do it." But Baby Bear isn't finished with his questions. What if you don't do it? "Then it becomes a broken promise." Can it be fixed? "Not easily.That's why it's so important to keep it." From this conversation, Baby Bear realizes that when he says he will play with a friend, he needs to follow through or it may hurt his friend's feelings. And when Baby Bear asks what else his mother promises him, she tells him of all the things a mother gives to and hopes for her child: good food to eat, time spent together, and especially her love, forever and always. McPhail's full-bleed spreads are done in pen and ink and watercolor in blues, greens, and browns and show the gentle love of the bears for each other and also their enjoyment of the natural world: waterfall, river, meadow, forest, apple orchard.Ideal for starting discussions about promises and expressing motherly love. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
