Bear Meets Bear (Bear and Spider)

K-Gr 2--Best friends Bear and Spider are companionably waiting for the delivery of their new teapot. When Bear sees the delivery person, he is smitten. "Bear had never met such a charming lady bear. His heart beat fast. Bear wanted to say hello. He wanted to say something clever, or funny, or anything at all. But Bear's mouth would not move." His moment passes, and Bear immediately orders another teapot to try again. He obsessively waits, and the whole scenario repeats again and again, filling their home with unnecessary teapots. Spider is amused at first, but soon steps in to advise Bear to speak up and invite her to tea. Alas, someone else delivers the final teapot and Bear sinks into despair, forcing Spider to take matters into his own hands by tracking down the lady bear, a panda, and delivering an invitation on Bear's behalf. Bear is surprised when Panda arrives, but is able to rally his emotions and host a pleasant tea party. Bear thanks Spider, and the final spread shows the three sipping lemonade while overseeing a teapot yard sale. The childlike obsessions of waiting, being tongue-tied, feeling awkward, and making iffy decisions--Spider sort of tricks Panda into a visit--while trying to solve a problem appear in charming mixed media illustrations featuring bold jewel tones; they add cozy details to the spare text. Not every reader will be ready for a story of a first crush, but the supporting lessons of friendship will resonate. VERDICT Add to collections where Arnold Lobel's "Frog and Toad" books are popular --Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Lib., MN

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"The illustrations of this book have a dreamy quality and add so much atmosphere to the story." —School Library Connection-online now

"Will resonate with kids who have their own moments of shyness." —Booklist

"Lessons of friendship will resonate. Add to collections where Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad books are popular." —School Library Journal online

"Grant's soft, muted crayon-and-ink illustrations, full of rounded shapes, complement the warm comforting tone of the story . . . A cozy tale of friendship and compromise between two very different creatures." —Kirkus Reviews on BEAR OUT THERE

"The humor here is gentle and diverting, and kids will find the surprisingly expressive Spider. . . especially charming." —BCCB on BEAR OUT THERE

"Resonates with timely themes of tolerance, friendship, and persistence." —Publishers Weekly on BEAR OUT THERE

"This affirming story of friendship includes themes of kindness and perseverance, subtly promoting an appreciation of the outdoors." —Booklist on BEAR OUT THERE

"Children will absorb the valuable message that compromise is essential to any good friendship, and when the going gets tough, buddies still stick together." —School Library Journal online, on BEAR OUT THERE

"Grant's friendship story will catch readers like flies with its artwork and gentle humor, while encouraging them not to make assumptions about others." —Booklist on BEAR'S SCARE

"This tale about friendship and overcoming prejudices . . . will be enjoyed at storytime and as a subtle introduction to accepting others." —School Library Journal on BEAR'S SCARE

"Ideal for beginning readers. A sweet, feel-good story with plenty of interesting visual detail." —Kirkus Reviews on BEAR'S SCARE

"Will make readers smile." —Publishers Weekly on BEAR'S SCARE