An amusing lesson in how to compromise from two bears who would rather not.
Does a bear share in the woods? The answer may surprise you!
Orson the bear goes for a walk and spies a big rock—an ideal napping spot! But another bear, Izzy, has her eye on the rock, too. Izzy suggests they take turns, but her turn lasts far too long, so Orson drenches her with cold water. The two rivals have reached a stalemate. Orson brings Izzy a different rock, but its thin, sharp shape makes it unsuitable. As they each grab hold of the coveted rock, they tear it apart. Eventually they decide to repair it and to amend their no-sharing policy. After all, “sharing is hard,” as Izzy points out, “but NOT sharing might be harder.” The main duo aren’t so much an odd couple as they are two of a kind, a relationship that’s underscored when they team up to loudly shoo a bird away from “our rock.” The ease with which they acknowledge their stubbornness only makes their continued argument that much more entertaining. Neither party is wrong, but the only workable solution occurs when they team up to make things right. Short, stubby brown Orson and tall, lanky, gray Izzy have complementary designs, though they would be the last to admit it. Backgrounds are full of trees and greenery, with a few pages set against mostly white backdrops.
An amusing lesson in how to compromise from two bears who would rather not. (Graphic fiction. 4-8)Pub Date: Aug. 20, 2024
ISBN: 9780593752029
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: May 4, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2024
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BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A flavorful call to action sure to spur young introverts.
In this latest slice in the Food Group series, Humble Pie learns to stand up to a busy friend who’s taking advantage of his pal’s hard work on the sidelines.
Jake the Cake and Humble Pie are good friends. Where Pie is content to toil in the background, Jake happily shines in the spotlight. Alert readers will notice that Pie’s always right there, too, getting A-pluses and skiing expertly just behind—while also doing the support work that keeps every school and social project humming. “Fact: Nobody notices pie when there’s cake nearby!” When the two friends pair up for a science project, things begin well. But when the overcommitted Jake makes excuse after excuse, showing up late or not at all, a panicked Pie realizes that they won’t finish in time. When Jake finally shows up on the night before the project’s due, Pie courageously confronts him. “And for once, I wasn’t going to sugarcoat it.” The friends talk it out and collaborate through the night for the project’s successful presentation in class the next day. John and Oswald’s winning recipe—plentiful puns and delightful visual jokes—has yielded another treat here. The narration does skew didactic as it wraps up: “There’s nothing wrong with having a tough conversation, asking for help, or making sure you’re being treated fairly.” But it’s all good fun, in service of some gentle lessons about social-emotional development.
A flavorful call to action sure to spur young introverts. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Nov. 4, 2025
ISBN: 9780063469730
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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