Bear's Birthday

June 20, 2011
In Bear's eighth tale, the butterscotch colored ursine welcomes his friends to his birthday party. The pudgy bears play hide-and-seek in Bear's jewel-toned house and hunt for treasure outside before Bear opens his gifts, which include "delicious jam and honey: Raspberry, strawberry, apricot, cherry." No naysayers or jealous siblings spoil the party: Bear and friends' lumbering good natures will have readers looking forward to their own celebrations. Ages 2â6.

June 1, 2011

PreS-Blackstone combines a rhyming counting book and a birthday celebration. Harter's familiar cartoon bear and buddies party with gifts, musical chairs, hide-and-seek, a treasure hunt, and a variety of treats. Readers are given the task of counting the number of balloons as designated in a square at the bottom right corner of each spread. The final spread shows a balloon countdown from 10 to one, assisted by Bear's black-and-white-striped cat. The busy scenes with bright geometrics and patterns promise many fun readings.-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2011

Sweeter than honey, there's no drama in sight at Bear's birthday bash.

Blackstone's familiar character returns with nine of his closest fellow bears to celebrate his special occasion. The earnest voice gushes in its enthusiasm as his guests arrive. "Bear opens the door to welcome his friends / He's hoping his day of fun never ends." Similar in stature, his company, shaded in smoky grays, chestnut browns and golden tans, follows an expected agenda; all play hide-and-seek and hunt for treasure until the host opens presents. The highly anticipated cake tantalizes through its whimsical design; striped candles echo the familiar cat's appearance. Rhyming pairings at times leave behind a jarring residue. "It's full of delicious jam and honey / Raspberry, strawberry, apricot, cherry." Paint, pen-and-ink and crayon patterned patches extend to compact boundaries. Bright balloons bob within busy scenes, from Bear's initial decorating to a final participatory activity.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

June 1, 2011
Preschool-K On Bear's birthday, he blows up 10 balloons and greets his party guests at the door. After playing hide-and-seek and musical chairs, the bears have a treasure hunt, enjoy a birthday feast, and say good-bye. Rhymed couplets are illustrated in the vibrantly colored ink, paint, and crayon artwork. The final spread, Counting Balloons, challenges kids to count rows of balloons, from 10 to 1, as Bear's cat bats them about and occasionally pops one. Children can practice counting in this cheerful board book (also in paper) the latest in Blackstone and Harter's Bear series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)