Little Bear, Baby Bear

Baby-Toddler--A series of appealing spot illustrations in bright, flat colors juxtaposes the title characters, evocative of a young child and a baby sibling, and explores the differences between the two. Each pair of facing pages contrasts Little Bear's belongings (a toy car, an apple) with corresponding items for Baby Bear (a teething ring, a feeding bottle). The introduction of Big Bear at the conclusion will remind children identifying with Little Bear that they can still see themselves as small, even as they celebrate the ways they have grown up. VERDICT An important purchase for all collections.

A comparison of two siblings' personal items. While Big Bear, Little Bear (2021) compared the objects owned by a parent and a child, this tale catalogs Little Bear's and their baby sibling's belongings, from socks to toys to books. Little Bear is taller, dressed like an older child. Baby Bear, on the other hand, sports a onesie and is much smaller. Side-by-side illustrations enable readers to observe the ways the two are alike and ways in which they are different--both enjoy a snack, but Little Bear eats an apple, while Baby Bear still drinks from a bottle. New older siblings might find this read especially helpful, as they'll see just how capable they are (like Little Bear, they can ride a bike, for instance). The book closes with an illustration of Little Bear and Baby Bear piled onto Big Bear's lap, a reminder that they all share the same love. Schneider's illustrations are simple, showcasing the two items on each side of the spread, set against a solid, vibrantly colored background. Little Bear and Baby Bear are more teddy bear than grizzly, with minimal detail, which also makes for little change in their facial expressions. It also leaves room for adults to fill in the blanks and reassure their Little Bears in advance of the arrival of a Baby Bear. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A sweet take on the new-sibling theme. (Board book. 1-3) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.