Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
A Splendid Friend, Indeed
Board Book
For ages 4 to 6
Boyds Mills Press, 2015 ISBN: 978-1629794082
Bear is lying down on his belly reading a book when Goose marches up his back and then peers into his face. She asks him what he is doing. Duck announces that she likes to read too and then she takes away Bear’s book so that she can read to him. A disgruntled Bear then starts to write, and chatty Duck immediately asks Bear if he would like to see her write.
Bear, who is now scowling, starts thinking, so Duck runs off to get a snack. “Thinking makes me hungry,” she says. Soon enough Duck is back and she tells Bear that she has written him a note and she is now going to read the note to him. Bear is now thoroughly fed up with Duck, who won’t give him a moment’s peace.
Children will be amused when they see the interplay between poor wanting-time-alone Bear and his chatty, oblivious avian friend. They will laugh when they see how exasperated Bear gets, and they will also appreciate that though Duck can be annoying, she is also very good hearted. Minimal yet expressive art and a simple story come together in this book to give children a tale that they will love.
