  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 08/01/2016 K-Gr 3—It is winter in Yosemite Park, and deep within a cave, two newborn black bear cubs yowl and begin to grow. Readers watch as the mother bear nurses the cubs until the scent of spring's new growth introduces them to a new delicacy: soft, nutritious grasses emerging from under the snow. As the season changes from spring to summer, the cubs learn to explore, romp, and search for tasty treats like grubs. They also encounter the perils of automobiles, rushing rivers, and adult male bears. As summer leans into fall, a wildfire threatens Yosemite's wildlife, but the mother leads her cubs out of danger. The story comes full circle as the bears bulk up for winter; they are shown searching for acorns and heading back to the den as snow falls to the ground. Lyrically told with numerous sensory details, this tale about a year in the life of a bear and her cubs is presented in large, realistically depicted illustrations opposite each page of text. An author's note provides additional information and, most important, the warning never to give human food to bears. This book would serve as a good mentor text for teachers who want to demonstrate the possibilities of narrative or creative nonfiction. VERDICT A solid purchase for science collections.—Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 08/01/2016 A companion volume to Wadsworth and San Souci’s Coyote’s Songster (2013), this picture book tells of a black bear family living in Yosemite National Park. In winter, Bear cares for her newborn cubs in their den. In spring, they venture outside to eat grass and explore. In summer, they amble through meadows and forests and across roads. Despite dangers (a speeding car, an aggressive male bear, and, in autumn, a forest fire), they survive. When snow falls again, they return to their snug, familiar den and sleep. With an abundance of preschool books about dressed bears who live in houses, a picture book about real bears in the wild is a rare find. Dedicated to the memory of the artist’s brother, writer Robert San Souci, the handsome, naturalistic paintings portray the bears in varied landscapes within the park. Color is used sparingly and effectively. Wadsworth’s simply written, free-verse text relates the bears’ activities throughout the year, while the appended author’s note follows up with information about black bears. A welcome return to Yosemite. - Copyright 2016 Booklist. Loading...
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