Where Is Bina Bear?

Starred review from October 18, 2021
Bina, a large purple bear, is wearing a lampshade on her head at a party—and it’s not a sign that she’s having too good
a time. “Bina? Is that you?” asks Tiny the rabbit, the party’s host, after discovering Bina standing alone in a dark room. “I am not Bina. I am a lamp,” the figure says. Tiny doesn’t press when Bina camouflages herself as other, increasingly elaborate objects, including a table with a fruit bowl, a tree with a swing, and a full bookcase. But when Tiny finally asks the bear if she’s okay, a tearful Bina—now hiding out in the kitchen as a bag of groceries—admits that she doesn’t care for parties and only attended because she likes Tiny. Refreshingly, the host’s response is not to cajole or push, but to be with Bina in a way that acknowledges the bear’s feelings—even
if it involves each of them wearing a lampshade. As always, Curato (Flamer) handles the theme of acceptance with empathy and a gently comic touch: the crisply rendered ink, watercolor, and pencil illustrations have a visual directness that appreciates the reality of Bina’s needs, as shown through her masking attempts. It’s a tender tribute to both lone wolves (er, bears) and the beings who love them. Ages 4–8. Agent: Brenda Bowen, the Book Group.

December 1, 2021
A reticent bear finds noisy social gatherings, well, "un-bear-able." A swinging party is underway at Tiny the bunny's house, but where is Tiny's ursine friend Bina? Is she that strangely large lamp with the shade on its head? Is she the lumpy table with ears and a tail? Is she the tree with the suspiciously bearlike trunk? The bear-shaped chair? The bookcase "bear-ing" the weight of all those books? What begins as a fun and risibly easy seek-and-find morphs into something more when Tiny sees beyond one of Bina's less-convincing disguises ("I am not Bina. I am...groceries") and asks her what's wrong. Bina confesses that she does not like parties, but she does very much like Tiny. Moved, the bunny puts a little lampshade over its head--another humorously implausible camouflage--and the two friends dance together. Anyone who has ever eschewed the cacophony of raucous social events for a darkened bedroom will instantly relate to the bear's emotional honesty. Curato's simple ink, colored pencil, and watercolor illustrations help bring a gentle pathos to Bina's predicament. Even the most outgoing child will learn to empathize with those that don't have fun in crowds. Tiny's gender is unspecified. Imbued with understanding and overt silliness; a quietly chucklesome affirmation of introverts. (Picture book. 3-6)

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December 15, 2021
Preschool-Grade 2 Tiny (a small, white rabbit) is having a big party and can't find Bina Bear anywhere. Every time Tiny thinks they have found Bina Bear, it turns out to be the big, purple bear disguised as a lamp. Or a table. Or a tree. Or--a crying bag of groceries? Discovered, Bina Bear admits she is hiding because she doesn't like parties; she came, though, because Tiny is her friend. Together, they hide in solidarity from the rest of the partygoers. Inclusion and representation are always present in Curato's thoughtful picture books, and this story is a sweet, sincere, and playful approach to discussing shyness. And while Curato is constantly expanding and evolving stylistically as an artist--leaning here toward a more bubbly, purple-and-yellow, color-popping cartoonishness than in his earlier, more realistic work--the heart of his books remains consistently warm. He has created the same gorgeous, intimate friendship here between Bina Bear and Tiny that Little Elliot has with Mouse in that beloved series, and the story is both a discussion piece and a giggly treat.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from April 22, 2022

PreS-K-Tiny the rabbit is throwing a party but cannot find Bina Bear. Bina is hiding, disguising herself as a lamp, a table, a tree, a chair, a bookshelf, and finally and most unconvincingly, as groceries. The mounting absurdity is heightened by the two characters continuing to interact, with Bina repeatedly claiming that she is not Bina. As the silliness hits its peak, the story takes a hard swerve into sensitivity, and the shift nails a satisfying emotional landing. When Tiny asks if she's okay, Bina tearfully admits that she does not like parties. Tiny does not try to convince Bina to step outside of her comfort zone or to be brave. The little rabbit simply offers affection and validation. When Tiny joins Bina in hiding from the rest of the party, the book reverts to silliness while simultaneously showing what it means to stand in solidarity with a friend. "Little Elliot" series creator Curato masterfully blends humor and pathos to create a sincere story celebrating unconditional acceptance. The pair's emotional journey is powerfully represented through color. The house and partygoers are all breezy pastels, Tiny the white rabbit often stands against a sunny yellow background, and in stark contrast to everything else is Bina, the dark purple bear. Tiny's comfort envelops Bina in yellow, and a moment of panic is expressed in electric neon pink. The last illustration of the two animals, dancing while still wearing lampshades on their heads, reassures young readers that the pair found a way to enjoy the party together. This book would prove an excellent prompt for classroom discussion as well as a vibrant read aloud. VERDICT A gloriously simple and funny story of empathy, recommended for first purchase.-Elizabeth Lovsin

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2022
This hide-and-seek story begins: "Tiny was giving a big party. But where was Bina Bear?" Thereafter the drama plays out through simple, comical dialogue ("'Bina? Is that you?' 'No. I am a table'") and cartoon illustrations. Bina, a large blue bear, attempts to avoid the party by disguising herself as inanimate objects -- a chair, groceries. While Tiny (a small bunny) searches, the bright art showcases Bina's amusing contortions. Meanwhile, the characters' expressive faces and gestures capture their vulnerability and affection for each other. After hearing that Tiny misses seeing her, Bina opens one eye as though she may stop pretending to be a chair and finally show herself. When her friend asks if she's okay, Bina claims to be fine but sheds a tear. In the end, Bina is able to come out from hiding and tell Tiny how she really feels about parties...but also how she feels about Tiny, and so the two pretend to be lamps together in the kitchen while the party goes on without them. This warm and comforting look at friendship offers meaningful insight into the value of support and of acceptance. Julie Roach

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2022
This hide-and-seek story begins: "Tiny was giving a big party. But where was Bina Bear?" Thereafter the drama plays out through simple, comical dialogue ("'Bina? Is that you?' 'No. I am a table'") and cartoon illustrations. Bina, a large blue bear, attempts to avoid the party by disguising herself as inanimate objects -- a chair, groceries. While Tiny (a small bunny) searches, the bright art showcases Bina's amusing contortions. Meanwhile, the characters' expressive faces and gestures capture their vulnerability and affection for each other. After hearing that Tiny misses seeing her, Bina opens one eye as though she may stop pretending to be a chair and finally show herself. When her friend asks if she's okay, Bina claims to be fine but sheds a tear. In the end, Bina is able to come out from hiding and tell Tiny how she really feels about parties...but also how she feels about Tiny, and so the two pretend to be lamps together in the kitchen while the party goes on without them. This warm and comforting look at friendship offers meaningful insight into the value of support and of acceptance.

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)