Bears Make the Best Reading Buddies

July 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 1-Mrs. Fitz-Pea (who wears blue cat's-eye glasses) needs to be convinced that bears make suitable reading buddies. Her student Adelaide convinces her that Bear is safe to have in the classroom by showing her how he makes reading fun (with cozy reading forts and loud roars of encouragement for pronouncing a hard word) and instructive (telling her to look at the pictures for clues and holding the book so they both can see it). "And if you get frustrated, they wrap you up in warm bear hugs." The pattern-filled illustrations show the two buddies getting lost in their stories and demonstrates how they search for their next good read. They add a great deal to the book's appeal. VERDICT Full of useful yet subtle hints about how to make reading fun for both young and older reading buddies, this book will find a ready audience at storytime and is also wonderful for one-on-one sharing.-Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2016
Dogs (and other children) are often used as reading buddies in schools and libraries, but bears may seem a bit unusual in that role. When school starts, Mrs. Fitz-Pea pairs up her students as reading buddies, but Adelaide has a surprise. She brings her own buddy, a large brown bear in a bright blue, patterned ski sweater. Although the teacher is frightened (she literally screams: "AHHHHH!"), Adelaide is quick to describe the talents of bears. "They know how to build peaceful places where no one bothers you while you read. They sit side by side, knee to knee, and put the book between you, so you both can see." In this double-page spread, Adelaide and her bear are pictured inside a flowered tent sitting on colorful pillows atop a granny-square afghan. Bears also encourage their human partners and "roar" their approval. When Adelaide finishes singing her bear's praises, Mrs. Fitz-Pea invites him in. The digital artwork has a retro look, and there is diversity in the classroom, including an African-American teacher. Bespectacled Adelaide, pale-skinned and dark-haired, uses some sophisticated language and says: "Bears know that once you get a taste for books, you'll discover trail after trail of adventure and clamber to new heights." Children will surely want their own large brown reading buddies after listening to this book about the joys and challenges of reading. (Picture book. 4-6)

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July 1, 2016
Adelaide's teacher is assigning reading partners, but Adelaide chooses a bear because "bears make the best reading buddies." She argues that "bears know how to sniff out a good book with their super-powered snouts," etc. It's a bit contrived, but the narrative and homey illustrations have their moments, as when presenting the downside of reading with a sharp-clawed bear ("Rrriiip!").

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)