The Boy and the Bear

PreS-Gr 1--A young boy is looking for a friend because, as he has discovered, all the best games require two players. There is Bear, but the boy doesn't consider him a potential playmate because, well, he is a bear and not a boy. It turns out Bear is also looking for a friend; he is simply shy. Bear sends the boy a paper boat with a message. The two exchange multiple boat messages and finally meet. At first, the boy is disappointed that the message writer is Bear, but the two try to play anyway. When the games the boy wanted to play don't work for Bear, the two build a tree fort together and pass the autumn companionably. Winter comes and Bear disappears. Once again solitary, the boy passes the time drawing pictures of Bear. With the arrival of spring, Bear returns and the friends are reunited. The mixed media illustrations show a pale boy wearing a sweater and a bright, burnt orange ski hat. Bear is large and blue with a bag slung over his shoulder and a friendly demeanor. VERDICT A sweet, gentle story with the important message of being open to unexpected friendships.--Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

In this quiet tale by Corderoy, an unlikely friendship grows through the seasons. A lonely boy wants to play, but most games require two, and azure Bear's "too shy even to say hello." When a paper boat with "BOO!" written on its side appears, the boy is disappointed to discover that the sender is Bear, who is ill-suited to most games. Bear begins building a tree house, though, and wash-filled mixed-media illustrations show the two bonding, contentedly enjoying each other amid autumn leaves and early snowflakes. Upon winter's arrival, Bear leaves to hibernate, and in melancholic scenes the boy awaits the return of his friend; Massini's grey snowscapes soon melt into springtime scenes, and the story concludes with a joyous reunion between the boy and Bear. A sweet tale of unexpected pals. Ages 2-5. (Nov.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Massini's charmingly textured and colorful illustrations have a pleasing sense of spaciousness.
—Kirkus Reviews

In this quiet tale by Corderoy, an unlikely friendship grows through the seasons...A sweet tale of unexpected pals.
—Publishers Weekly

Massini's illustrations in mixed-media format capture the watercolor blues and greens of pond life, with Bear a blue, endearingly round creature with tiny eyes and ears; the much smaller boy sports a cute red pom-pom hat that stands out against the cooler tones. This is a typical yet touching story about the power of friendship, even through the seasons and across species; viewers will smile at the final image of the boy and Bear embracing after spending the winter apart.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books