Big Brown Bear's Cave

A bear learns the value of decluttering in this appealing story. After Big Brown Bear selects a new cave, he can't get comfortable in it. Upon discovering that humans fill their own caves (aka garages) with stuff, Bear decides, "I need stuff, too!" and immediately begins carrying things back to his cave (his favorites are "stuff that came with wheels, stuff that came with handles, and stuff that came in boxes"). The cave is soon bursting with objects Bear doesn't need (like a vacuum cleaner), leading him to become literally trapped by his possessions (or other people's possessions, more accurately). Zommer (The Big Blue Thing on the Hill) continues to illustrate with almost a naturalist's eye for detail, and his digital art is textured with delicately etched marks and patterns--the leaves in his forest have veins and his bears are covered in hundreds of little hairs. Only by cleaning out does Bear realize that it's friends, not stuff, that make a place feel like home, a message Zommer delivers with quiet humor and a light touch. Ages 3-7. (Mar.)

Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2--Big Brown Bear has found a cave, but no matter where he lays in it, he feels like he is missing something. One day he notices a human cave; or as we know it, a garage. Human caves are full of stuff, so Big Brown Bear gathers up some of that stuff for his cave. Big Brown Bear loads up some boxes with his favorite stuff, including a vacuum, a rake, a clock, some pots and jugs, a clock, and a bike. When he gets it all into his cave there's almost no room for him. He finds himself trapped in his cave and his friends can't get him out. In the end, he returns the humans' stuff and finds a better way to keep his cave from feeling empty by sharing it with his friends. VERDICT This delightful story is helped by illustrations that complement the text and are perfect for closer inspection. The sweet lesson about filling one's life with friends rather than stuff is subtle and, in the end, stands out. A recommended purchase for most libraries.--Shana Morales, Windsor Public Library, CT

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Zommer (The Big Blue Thing on the Hill) continues to illustrate with almost a naturalist's eye for detail, and his digital art is textured with delicately etched marks and patterns—the leaves in his forest have veins and his bears are covered in hundreds of little hairs. Only by cleaning out does Bear realize that it's friends, not stuff, that make a place feel like home, a message Zommer delivers with quiet humor and a light touch.
—Publishers Weekly

This delightful story is helped by illustrations that complement the text and are perfect for closer inspection. The sweet lesson about filling one's life with friends rather than stuff is subtle and, in the end, stands out. A recommended purchase for most libraries.
—School Library Journal

Big Brown Bear can't get comfortable in his new cave, and so he decides to try filling it with "stuff" like humans do with their caves...all depicted as a fine, wild jumble in Zommer's woodsy digital collages.
—Booklist Online