Spring Is Here (Bear and Mole Stories)

The repetition, ample onomatopoeia, and tender tone of the spare text, combined with heavily textured mixed-media renderings of this gentle pair of pals, create a sunny welcome to the season.—Publishers Weekly

With its abundance of noises to join in on, its short, snappy sentences, its use of happily predictable repetition, and its engaging, tightly focused mixed-media illustrations, this should make a surefire read-aloud for preschoolers.—The Horn Book

The mixed-media illustrations capture both the harbingers of early springtime and Mole's enthusiasm, while Bear's droll expressions are charming. A sweet, simple tale of the lengths we all go to in the name of friendship...and spring.—Kirkus Reviews

With plenty of repeated 'sound' words, such as 'Sniff. Sniff. Sniff, ' 'Squish. Squish. Squish, ' and 'Tap. Tap. Tap, ' the story is fun to read aloud and lends itself to audience participation. Nicely varied in composition, the mixed-media illustrations, which include many double-page spreads, show up particularly well from a distance. A good read-aloud choice for preschool units on hibernation.—Booklist

Hillenbrand's mixed-media illustrations have a warmly colored, textured appearance. With its well-placed repetition, this simply told tale is perfect for toddlers—School Library Journal