A Library Book for Bear by Bonny Becker (review)

“Bear was quite sure he had all the books he would ever need,” but the irresistible Mouse talks him into a visit to the library nonetheless. Daunted by the large number of books there (“Most excessive!”), Bear seeks only another book about pickles to go with the one he already has and frustratedly rejects the alternatives Mouse proffers him. However, the siren song of a storytime—a bear and pickle themed storytime—sucks Bear right in, and soon he’s a book-carrying convert to the library. The plot is a little less crisp than in previous Bear and Mouse adventures, but Bear continues to be a brilliantly conceived character: he is the Narrow Comfort Zone Kid, but since he’s writ literally large and ornamented with the absurdly formal language of an elderly clubman, he makes unease about novelty into a character trait rather than an a childish developmental stage. He’s also just a fascinating guy, with his interest in pickle literature and matter-of-fact use of red rollerskates to get around, and his quirks help explain what Mouse, who’s more a narrative catalyst than a co-star, gets out of the friendship. Denton’s assured understanding of these character warms her watercolor art, with Bear’s operatic poses (he has a particularly nice line in histrionic leaning) humorously incongruous yet somehow graceful. Soft, glimmery earth tones are suitably self-effacing for Bear-like kids who want art that is rewarding but not overwhelming. Kids who love the library will relish feeling superior to the uninitiated Bear, while those similarly daunted will appreciate the ursine validation.