"Bear finds it hard to say no in this delightfully funny picturebook."
March 2025 Book of the Month
Bear is happily sitting on his bench with only a book, a cookie and a balloon for company, when his peaceful solitude is broken by a series of other animals asking to share his bench and belongings. Bear knows he wants to say no, but each time he agrees, until finally his internal frustration bursts out of him in an angry, bear-sized roar.
This is a superb picture book for the very young about sharing, voicing your feelings and not being afraid to stand up for yourself. Shaloshvili’s playful illustrations, alongside limited text, beautifully portray the building of Bear’s emotions. In particular her talent for conveying frustration through the simplest of eye illustrations creates wonderfully humorous moments, reminiscent of some of Jon Klassan’s most popular picturebooks.
A slightly open-ended conclusion will be excellent for sparking conversations with young children about how best to be your own advocate, the importance of not letting negative emotions build up, and positive ways to express such emotions.
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