Review by Booklist Review
Here's a special story about a beautiful friendship between a girl and her teddy bear. While most stuffed animals skew small, this childhood chum is portrayed as huge, rather shy, lovable, and sweet. His expressive postures reveal a whole spectrum of emotions. In one comic scene, his round eyes and scrunched-up mouth show his distress when baby brother bites him on the head and sneezes snot onto his nose. Always patient, he can be a fancy lady at a tea party, a pirate, a ghost, or a brave protector when things get scary. But always, always, the minimal text emphasizes: "Bear is a bear full of love." Observant children will notice that, in illustrations that mirror the cycle of life, the little girl grows into an adult; when she raises her own little girl, she resurrects her worn and dusty old friend from an old trunk in the attic. Now the circle is happily closed as the words and pictures repeat: "Bear is a soft, warm pillow. Bear is a bear faded and torn. Bear is a bear full of love." Caldecott winner Santat's digitally rendered illustrations in watercolor pencil explode with character and warmth. That big, playful body is begging to jump off the page for yet another hug, and enthusiastic children will want to share stories about their own favorite cuddles with this sure winner.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
When a parent introduces her infant child to a gigantic brown bear, it seems like misguided parenting, but after the kid slobbers and blows their nose on Bear, the two become inseparable. Santat's digitized watercolor and pencil illustrations draw a striking, sweet-humored contrast between the scale of the ultra-plushy Bear and its sculpturally rendered, always growing human consort. "Bear is a soft, warm pillow," Stutzman writes, as the tiny child blissfully snoozes in Bear's huge embrace; Bear is game for both dress-up and ill-advised digging in the garden; when a lightning storm casts shadows in the child's bedroom, "Bear is a great protector." The child's life predictably moves on without Bear, but one day, "Bear is remembered" and presented to the next generation as its true form is revealed. While the story line feels familiar, there's real poetry in the declamatory, rhythmic text and a lovely, everyday magic in Bear and the child's easygoing, unconditional connection. Ages 4--8. (Sept.)
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Review by Horn Book Review
"Bear is a bear hopeful and shy. Bear is a bear full of love." The large furry creature becomes a baby girl's best friend, playing all sorts of roles (as a "tissue," "soft, warm pillow," etc.). Always, however, "Bear is a bear full of love." As the story unfolds the girl grows older, until finally Bear, who had been a "brave protector" when she was scared and a "piece of home" she took to college, becomes a "memory" packed away in a storage chest. But fear not, this isn't a sad tale, as eventually Bear is introduced to the next generation: a new little-girl playmate. Stutzman's (Santa Baby, rev. 11/20) declarative sentences are short and purposely repetitive, packed with meaning, which Santat (2015 Caldecott winner for The Adventures of Beekle) explores through the loving relationship between the characters in his expressive watercolor, pencil, and Photoshop illustrations. The brevity of the text allows for visual creativity, especially with humorous lines such as "Bear is a fancy lady" (accessorizing for a tea party, of course) or more serious moments (bear, as a "scholar," sits quietly on a dorm bed as the girl works at her desk late at night). That Santat draws the creature throughout as a real bear makes the impact of the final surprise reveal all the sweeter, and upon rereading reinforces an appreciation for the larger-than-life presence favorite toys can have in our lives. Cynthia K. Ritter November/December 2021 p.84(c) Copyright 2021. 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
In this ode to the timelessness of cherished playthings, a toy bear accompanies a child through myriad experiences. Bear is not just a bear. Bear is a warm, soft pillow, a tissue when necessary, and a willing and equal partner in play. Bear takes on these various roles with gusto, depicted, through the eyes of a child, as a real, large bear with expressive features and anthropomorphic body language. Humor and sentiment abound as Bear's reactions elevate the simple yet touching text. Throughout the scenes, the mutual adoration between Bear and child is apparent, and their bond sees them through all kinds of moments, from energetic pirate play to snuggling together during a scary storm. As the child ages, Bear's necessity fades, and it is relegated to an old trunk and forgotten. Some time later, remembered once more, Bear starts a new friendship after being introduced to the next generation, making its journey come full circle. The repetitive beginning of each sentence--"Bear is…"--reinforces the soothing, reassuring tone of this gentle story. Bear's rich, golden brown fur exudes warmth and comfort while embodying the repeating refrain: "Bear is a bear full of love." The heavy use of white space on several pages puts the focus on the pair's relationship and reflects how they are content in a world of their own. Both the original child and Bear's new human friend have straight, black hair and pale skin. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Will have adults and young readers alike reflecting on the indispensable natures of their own favorite stuffies. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
