Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Bear’s New Friend
Illustrator: Jane Chapman
Picture Book Series
For ages 3 to 7
Simon and Schuster, 2006 ISBN: 978-0689859847
It is a hot summer's day and Bear is eager to go out and play. He leaves his cave and decides to look for his friend Mouse when he hears a strange noise in a tree. Bear calls up to whoever it is thinking that perhaps Mouse is the one who is making the noise. But then mouse arrives on the scene and it is obvious that someone else is up the tree. "Who?" Bear wonders.
Can it be Hare? But no, here is Hare and whoever it is has left the tree now and is hiding in a hole in the ground. The whoever it is can't be Badger, Gopher, Mole, Raven or Wren either. Soon there is quiet a crowd of creatures looking down the hole. Who is in there and why won't he or she come out?
Anyone who is shy will completely sympathize with the mysterious animal who is afraid to show himself to Bear and all of Bear's good friends. Thankfully for the newcomer he is able to overcome his feelings and soon Bear and company have a new friend to play with at the swimming hole. Children will have a wonderful time trying to guess what the mysterious animal is and will love the expressive and vibrant illustrations that fill every double page spread.
