  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 04/01/2018 Bear is a tidy creature who likes keeping his home just so. Everyday he and his best pal, a plush bear named Ursa, dust, sweep, and straighten together. But one day, something is amiss. Bear discovers a book lying on the floor—certainly not a place he would leave it—and attached to it, a sticky spider web. A quick search reveals more webs, triggering a frantic, furniture-toppling hunt for the many-legged mess maker. The charming charcoal-and-crayon illustrations tell another story, however. As Bear tears through his house, readers espy the adorable arachnid (wearing a button for a beret!) engaged in a number of serene activities, of which Bear would surely approve. Scenes rendered in orange, persimmon, plum, and chocolate zoom in on the spider painting, reading, drinking tea, and even sweeping up Bear’s mess, but it’s not until Ursa meets with an accident that Bear sees the spider for the caring individual she is. Grant’s friendship story will catch readers like flies with its artwork and gentle humor, while encouraging them not to make assumptions about others. - Copyright 2018 Booklist. School Library Journal - 07/01/2018 PreS-Gr 1—Bear keeps his house neat and tidy and takes good care of his stuffed animal friend, Ursa. One day as Bear cleans, he finds a book on the floor and underneath—horrors!—a spider web. As Bear searches the house, finding even more spider webs, he begins to think of all the damage the spider may be doing and determines to flush it out. Unfortunately, all the searching results in a bigger mess and a terrible accident as he unintentionally tears off Ursa's arm. Bear runs for the first-aid kit and returns to find Ursa's arm reattached by…a spider web! Bear decides he can accept his new spider friend and does not mind the webs. Charcoal-and-crayon drawings are uncluttered, with a limited palette of earth tones. Illustrations of an industrious spider in a button beret, who is painting, knitting, and reading, do not match Bear's assumptions about the creature. While Bear's easy acceptance of the messy spider webs may be a stretch, this tale about friendship and overcoming prejudices is not. VERDICT This read-aloud choice will be enjoyed at storytime and as a subtle introduction to accepting others.—Ramarie Beaver, Plano Public Library System, TX - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
 |