BEARS ARE BEST!

Bears strut their stuff in this species overview.

This tongue-in-cheek introduction to the bear family follows the pattern of the creators’ I Am the Shark (2021). Each bear believes it is unique but discovers other ursine species. In order, readers meet a brown bear, a polar bear, an American black bear, a sloth bear, a spectacled bear, a sun bear, a giant panda, and an Asiatic black bear. Readers learn about their distinguishing physical features, habits and habitats, and favorite foods. Finally, a bear-masked octopus tries to join the group, which leads to them discussing bears’ many similarities, including general shape, four five-clawed paws, fur, speed, curiosity, good sense of smell, big appetite, and shared membership in the mammal family. The author concludes with a summary of the eight species and reminders that bears can be dangerous but are also threatened around the world. Lighthearted collage illustrations feature cartoon animals with large eyes and clear facial expressions as well as body language. Readers and lapsitters will be particularly amused by the extra details—such as other animals—but the illustrations are large enough to show to a group as well. The design makes good use of the suspense of page turns to keep the narrative flowing. This should appeal to the same audience that enjoys Maxwell Eaton’s The Truth About Bears (2018), which boasts a similar mix of fact and fantasy. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Informative and bear-y funny.