Louis

by Tom Lichtenheld (Author) Julie Rowan-Zoch (Illustrator)

Reading Level: K − 1st Grade

Louis the bear has had enough.

From day one, life has been one indignity after another. If he's not being used as a hankie, he's being hung out to dry--literally. (No one likes clothespins used on their ears!) This teddy is sneaking away just as soon as he can. Then again, no use running off in the rain . . .or during a show-and-tell routine. Maybe Louis has something to lose, after all.

This fresh and funny take on a teddy bear come to life is a salty and sweet, grumpy and tender, sly tribute to the ties that bind.

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School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3--Louis is a teddy bear who has truly seen it all. And he's a teddy bear who has had enough. He has been used and abused as a pillow, a hankie, and as lunch for a prehistoric beast. He's been buried alive, thrown into a hurricane, hung out to dry, and has even been made an accessory to a nightmare-inducing crime! Lichtenheld lets readers know that Louis is ready to break free--but there is always a reason not to leave, and he's going to need more cupcakes. Rowan-Zoch's colorful and expressive illustrations complement Lichtenheld's silly story and truly bring Louis the grumpy bear to life. Fans of the author's Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site will delight in this enjoyable picture book. VERDICT Perfect for read-alouds or one-on-one sharing, this is a laugh-out-loud spin on a would-be runaway's best-laid plans.--Elizabeth Blake, Fields Corner Lib., Dorchester, MA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Publishers Weekly

The title character is all talk and no action--and that makes him one endearing teddy bear. The problem, according to Louis, is that his life as a beloved stuffed toy has been something just short of a living nightmare: he's been "x-rayed" (by airport security), "milk-sprayed" (thanks to clumsy cereal preparation), and "mislaid" (left on the bus--and quickly retrieved). Louis is good and ready to walk, but breaking up is hard to do: each time he prepares himself, something holds him back, whether it's one more cupcake at a dress-up tea party, being made the star of a dramatic show-and-tell describing the bus incident ("1 brave bear" reads the chalkboard), or a cozy late-night snuggle. Digital cartooning by illustrator Rowan-Zoch (You're One!) is to the point, with a Louis who is expressive without skewing hammy. Lichtenfeld's (When My Brother Gets Home) first-person narration is just the right amount of cranky, rendering Louis as both sympathetic (he does get thrown in the washing machine, after all) and clueless as to how good he has it. Ages 4-7. Author's agent: Amy Rennert, the Amy Rennert Agency. Illustrator's agent: Marcia Wemick, Wemick & Pratt Agency. (Oct.)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

★ "Like a faithful teddy, sure to become a favorite for many readers."—Kirkus, STARRED review

"Lichtenheld's first-person narration is just the right amount of cranky, rendering Louis as both sympathetic (he does get thrown in the washing machine, after all) and clueless as to how good he has it."—Publishers Weekly

"Rowan-Zoch's colorful and expressive illustrations complement Lichtenheld's silly story and truly bring Louis the grumpy bear to life.... Perfect for read-alouds or one-on-one sharing, this is a laugh-out-loud spin on a would-be runaway's best-laid plans."—School Library Journal

"A cheeky reminder to kids to show a little care to what they might be taking for granted."—BCCB

this is cute

she is very cute

Tom Lichtenheld
Tom Lichtenheld makes books for children and people who used to be children. He's been fortunate to work with many talented writers, editors, and publishers who've helped him enjoy the best job in the whole wide world. Visit him at www.tomlichtenheld.com and on Instagram and Twitter @tlichtenheld.

Author, illustrator, bookseller, and activist: Julie Rowan-Zoch grew up collecting freckles and chasing hermit crabs in NY, and spent years slicing rich breads in Germany before waking up to 300 days of blue Colorado skies. If she doesn't answer the door, look in the garden! Visit her at https: //julierowanzoch.wordpress.com/ and on Twitter @JulieRowanZoch and Instagram @jrzoch.

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780358695356
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Clarion Books
Publication date
March 15, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV002030 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Bears
JUV040000 - Juvenile Fiction | Toys, Dolls & Puppets
JUV051000 - Juvenile Fiction | Imagination & Play
JUV010000 - Juvenile Fiction | Bedtime & Dreams
Library of Congress categories
Teddy bears

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