Review by Booklist Review
Best buddies Bear and Bird are back! The charismatic companions navigate more sticky situations, gentle conflicts, and comical mishaps with affection and good humor. In the first story, Bird attempts to gracefully handle an awkward occurrence without hurting Bear's pride, but what looks like a guide to commenting on appearances turns out to be a fable about fashion. In another, Bird excitedly introduces readers to the splendid Swapsy Day, but an accidental exchange lands a well-intentioned Bird in hot water. The next adventure sees the pair attempting to score the very best sticks, though trying to outdo each other with generosity results in extremely polite conflict. Finally, a confused Bear requests tutelage on time from a perhaps overly confident Bird, resulting in a better understanding of the subject than either of them anticipated, along with an ideal bedtime ending. It's another enjoyable outing for the darling duo as their adventures continue to slyly subvert storytelling expectations. Adorable illustrations exude warmth, and delightful details add depth to the humorous text. A welcome return of the funniest forever friends.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--4--Bear and Bird's friendship continues in the fourth installment of this series. As with other forest ensemble character tales, like Winnie the Pooh or Our Friend Hedgehog, Bear and Bird are the main duo on which the stories center, with their friends Pig, Rabbit, Badger, and others, playing supporting roles. The storylines are simple, sweet, and relatable: how to tell a friend they've had a leaf stuck to their face all morning, who can be more polite regarding ownership of a found stick, spending time together doing different activities, and the redistribution of belongings at a swap meet. Mixed media illustrations in a soft-hued palette enhance the whimsical vibe. This book is well suited for early readers stretching themselves to read longer titles, as well as for lap or co-reading. VERDICT A gentle and wholesome title for growing early readers.--Jennifer Noonan
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