bears

3 New Big-Hearted Bear Picture Books

| Tasha
Cover image for Bartleby by Matt Phelan. Features a white bear in a red hat and red overalls looking out at the reader, standing in front of red stripes.

Bartleby by Matt Phelan

  • Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
  • Publication Date: March 3, 2026
  • Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley
  • ISBN: 9780374393557

Bartleby is a little bear in a bowler hat who refuses to do things a lot. He says “I prefer not to” when asked to share what he did over the weekend with the class. He says it when the rest of the class plays the giant xylophone and sings silly songs. He says it during play time and spends it all alone. When his teacher asks the class to do self-portraits, Bartleby whispers his idea to her. Soon Bartleby has contributed just the right thing to complete their portraits and seems like he’d like to join in more tomorrow. 

As a shy child myself, I immediately recognized the quiet use of a polite phrase to turn others away. Phelan captures this with empathy and shows how isolating it can be to have so many defences up. I appreciated that Bartleby figures out the solution on his own, speaks to his teacher and shares his idea with the class. The illustrations in this charmer of the picture book use color to show how separate Bartleby becomes with his stand-offish approach. Bartleby is unique in his class in more ways than one thanks to his more formal clothing too. 

A book about shyness that offers space and opportunity for growth. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Cover image for Plenty of Pancakes by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Brianne Farley. Features a running opossum catching pancakes on a plate with other forest animals helping mix batter, flip pancakes and carry plates.

Plenty of Pancakes by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Brianne Farley

  • Publisher: G. P. Putnam’s Sons
  • Publication Date: January 27, 2026
  • Reviewed from library copy
  • ISBN: 9780593700174

Topsy the Opossum has brought all the equipment and supplies to make a Welcome Spring meal for her friend LouAnn. LouAnn the Bear will wake soon from her hibernation and pancakes are just the right thing for a hungry bear in spring. Soon the table is set and five perfect pancakes are set out. When Topsy turns her back though, there is a “CLUNK!” and the pancakes are gone. Topsy makes five more pancakes, but once again they disappear. Could it be squirrels or birds? Over and over again Topsy makes pancakes and they are gone. Topsy is worried about running out of ingredients and the time is getting closer and closer to LouAnn waking up. More forest friends come to help make pancakes and soon they have plenty of them for one hungry bear. But how about for one mama bear and her new cubs?

Written with a merry frenzy of pancake flipping, hot griddles and fast-moving cubs, this picture book reads aloud brilliantly. The text is welcoming and invites readers right into the action. The illustrations are a delight as readers will soon glimpse the pancake thieves and realize what is happening while the text only shares Topsy’s point of view. The noises of each theft changes, making the book all the more dynamic.

Pancake lovers will flip for this one. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Cover image for Wake Up, Grouchy Bear by David Ezra Stein. Features a brown bear with one eye open, surrounded by small animals like a mouse, rabbit, and squirrel.

Wake Up, Grouchy Bear by David Ezra Stein

  • Publisher: Clarion Books
  • Publication Date: March 10, 2026
  • Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley
  • ISBN: 9780063382664

The weather is warm and the flowers are out, but Bear is still sleeping. His animal friends decide to check on him, but they have to be careful since Bear gets very grumpy if they wake him up. At first he sneezes from the dust, but goes back to sleep. While the friends wait for him to wake, they gather flowers, open the curtains and even paint Bear’s toenails. Bear wakes up on his own, roaring and rather grumpy. But he sees his friends, tastes some berries and realizes that it’s spring. Time to play! 

Stein’s book about Bear is a merry look at a grumpy waking process. The love the friends have for Bear and their patience as he wakes himself adds to the warmth of this springtime read. The decoration of Bear in flowers and painted toenails results in something whimsical and charming rather than what readers might anticipate. The art is done in deep colors with bear chocolate on the page and the spring flowers a tropical cornucopia. The blues of Bear’s deep sleep add to the contrast.

A friendly look at a bear in springtime. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

3 Fantastic New Picture Books about Making Friends

| Tasha

Don’t Eat Eustace by Lian Cho (9780063321847)

Bear lived alone in a lighthouse. He spent his days fishing for lunch until one day he caught Eustace who begged him not to eat him. Bear also caught a colorful sail at the same time and almost threw it back into the sea. But when some other creatures need help, Bear finds himself helping out with Eustace’s encouragement. He makes a new wing for a heron, a coat for a shark, and a new sweater for himself. When evening comes Bear is very hungry and Eustace is already in the pot. What’s a bear to do? Cho has created a picture book that begs to be shared aloud. It has a wry sense of humor as Bear makes promises he has no intention of keeping. Meanwhile Eustace is trying to stay alive but along the way the two form a strong connection.

A book of new friends, crafts and funny fish. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by HarperCollins.

Field Trip to Dinosaur Valley by John Hare (9780823459575)

A teacher takes a class of children back in time using a time machine. Once back in the time of dinosaurs, the machine transforms into a dino-like structure that walks the landscape giving the kids a perfect view of the valley. The teacher lectures along the way. When one student decides they need a snack though things get a bit wild. A stolen lunch box turns into one student falling out of the machine and getting left behind. As they make the best of it by sitting down and eating their lunch, a variety of dinosaurs emerge to share the lunch or potentially having the student FOR lunch! 

This nearly wordless book is great fun, offering a humorous look at a visit to the past that will have young children creating a story to go along with the pictures. The illustrations are full of bright colors, leaving the old green dinosaurs in the past in favor of bright dinos covered in patterns. The students and teacher are in protective suits and goggles, adding to the modern feel of the story.

A visit to the past with a slice of pizza and other snacks to share. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Margaret Ferguson Books.

Make New Friends by Joshua David Stein, illustrated by Mariachiara Di Giorgio (9781949480559)

Tomasso is a new kid in school. He doesn’t know anyone at all. His father keeps asking him if he’s made any friends yet and Tomasso admits, not yet. Then he discovers two old balls in the school playground. He gives each one a face and names them Roland and Barry. Eating along in the cafeteria, he gives his carton of milk a face and the name Coco. When his dad asks again about friends, Tomasso tells him about Roland, Barry and Coco, describing them like classmates. Soon he is finding new friends everywhere, including erasers, socks, rocks and paper bags. His father wants to meet all these new friends and insists that Tomasso invite them over. What will his father do when he finds out the truth? 

A lovely look at shyness and newness and the power of art and creativity to save the day. Stein writes with such sensitivity and understanding about Tomasso’s situation. There is a joy in discovering the new toy friends he creates. While I don’t want to spoil the ending, it is that part of the book where it all comes together and is very special indeed. The art adds to the joy of the toy friends and the found family story that is so powerful. 

Satisfying, art-filled and an antidote to loneliness. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Edelweiss and Abrams Books for Young Readers.

The Bear Out There by Jess Hannigan – Book Review

| Tasha

The Bear Out There by Jess Hannigan (9780063289482)

The author of Spider in the Well returns with this engaging picture book that warns readers that they must promise not to scream, but… There is a bear out there. When asked if she has ever seen the bear, she insists that she only needs the three bear signs to know one is there. First, the hair on your arm stands up. Second, you feel eyes watching you. Third, your feet get really itchy! As the reader, you get a glimpse of the actual bear outside. But you can’t warn her before she opens the door! Full of marvelous interaction via the page, this picture book is great fun to share aloud and you will have children shouting warnings along the way. The illustrations are loud and bold, full of pinks, oranges and haunting bear silhouettes.

With a grand twist at the end, this picture book is one to share. Appropriate for ages 3-6.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by HarperCollins.

Bear Wants to Sing by Cary Fagan

| Tasha
Cover image for Bear Wants to Sing.

Bear Wants to Sing by Cary Fagan, illustrated by Dena Seiferling (9780735268036)

This is a follow up to King Mouse from the same creative team. Out on a walk, Bear discovers a ukulele in the grass. Bear plucked a string and thought of a song. Mouse was there on a stump, all ready to listen. Then a crow arrived an found a tambourine in the grass. She immediately sang her song for Bear and Mouse. Snake arrived next and discovered a drum, which she used to sing her own song before Bear could start his. Tortoise was next with a horn and a song. Then Fox appeared and thought they should start a band and she could be their manager. Finally, it was time for Bear to sing his song. When the others didn’t praise it, he headed away. But one friend isn’t ready to let him leave entirely.

There is a beautiful delicacy to the story and the illustrations that work deliciously together as a whole. Fagan uses repetition in the story with the series of interruptions before Bear can sing his song. There is a wonderful tension that readers and the bear feel as he is preempted again and again. It’s also a treat to have a moment of such humor in the center of this thoughtful book which then returns to its previous tone but retains a wry grin.

The illustrations are done in graphite and colored digitally. The digital color is so pale that it is a whisper of color at the edges of the scenes with pale green leaves, a brown bear, and some flowers with a glimmer of pink. They are subtle and lovely, offering space for song and performance.

Thoughtful and lovely, this book explores friendship, sharing the limelight, and being true to yourself.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Tundra Books.

Sweater Weather by Matt Phelan

| Tasha
Cover image for Sweater Weather.

Sweater Weather by Matt Phelan (9780062934147)

It’s a lovely autumn day outside, so Papa Bear tells his seven baby bears to get their sweaters on. They head upstairs to get ready while Papa sits downstairs knitting. But it turns out that the baby bears need some help getting dressed successfully. After some disentangling, Papa gets them ready. All except for one, whose sweater unravels and he to be tucked into the stocking cap that Papa had been knitting. By the time they are all ready to go, it’s evening. The bear family makes the most of the nighttime, watching their breath frost the air and seeing a comet cross the sky. Then it’s time for pajamas on and bed.

Every parent will recognize the joy of getting ready for a day outside the house. This book is so cozy that the frustration of not getting ready quickly makes time for knitting and some extra hugs. Papa Bear is a delight of an adult character, seemingly on top of it all until the door opens and reveals how long it has actually taken for them all to get ready. With few words, the book relies on the illustrations to tell the story and share the love of this furry family.

Cozy, funny and full of autumn spice. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Greenwillow Books.

Blueberry Cake by Sarah Dillard

| Tasha
Cover image for Blueberry Cake.

Blueberry Cake by Sarah Dillard (9781534451346)

A little bear asks his mother for some blueberry cake one morning. She sends him off with a pail to pick blueberries. He walks through the woods until he reaches the huge patch of wild blueberries. He picks some and eats more. Distracted by a butterfly, he accidentally dumps out the few berries he has left. Almost back home, he stops to fill the pail with flowers from the meadow. But no blueberries, means no blueberry cake. So the next day, he tries again. This time he surprises his mother with a full pail of blueberries and she immediately makes him blueberry cake!

The little bear is a merry youngster, dashing through the woods, cartwheeling, and wearing the pail on his head. His enthusiasm for blueberry cake is contagious and mouthwatering. The text in the book is limited to only a few words with many of the panels in the book wordless. There is something marvelously charming about these domestic bears with their sunny yellow kitchen with polka dot wallpaper and checked curtains. Make sure to stay until the final page when the cake has been cut for a little giggle.

A summery sweet read. Appropriate for ages 1-3.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Aladdin.

If You Go Down to the Woods Today by Rachel Piercey

| Tasha
Cover image for If You Go Down to the Woods Today.

If You Go Down to the Woods Today by Rachel Piercey, illustrated by Freya Hartas (9781419751585)

Enter a woodsy world full of animal characters in this picture book that invites children to find things in the busy and bustling images. Bear brings readers to his home in the woods. The first images focus on spring in the woods with green grass, flowers and bird nests. Readers then get a glimpse of each animal’s home in the woods, including burrows, nests, and trees. Youngsters head to school, and bunny celebrates a birthday underground. Summer arrives with Field Day, the beauty of life in the treetops, swimming, picnics and even a play. Autumn comes with rainy days, art and campfires. Then finally, winter brings icy sports, a winter feast and the sleepiness of hibernation.

Each of the double-page illustrations is accompanied with a poem that speaks to that season and what is happening on the pages. The rhymes are jaunty and add to the fun of the book. Then there is a list of items to spot that asks readers to look very closely at the illustrations before them. It’s a woodsy and outdoor version of Waldo.

The illustrations are a pure joy and full of small elements of charm. Flowers, grass, falling leaves, roots, berries and more fill the pages with the season. The busy illustrations show a community of creatures happily living together in the woods filled with a warm coziness and acceptance of one another.

A perfect book to curl up with and explore. This would make an ideal book to take on a summer road trip. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Reviewed from copy provided by Magic Cat.

Hamish Takes the Train by Daisy Hirst

| Tasha

Hamish Takes the Train by Daisy Hirst (9781536216592)

Hamish the bear and Noreen the goose love to watch trains together. Hamish longs to take a train to the city, but Noreen isn’t interested. So Hamish set off, following the train tracks on foot. When he got to the station though, he found he needed a ticket, so he just kept on walking. As night fell, he came to a railroad yard and discovered a caboose all lit up inside. There he found Christov who was sick with the flu and too ill to go to work in the morning and run a big crane. So Hamish offered to help. He borrowed Christov’s hat and jacket and headed into the city on the train. When he got to the building site though, he didn’t have any boots, luckily he was able to find some nearby. Then it was time to run the huge crane. Hamish worked hard, running the crane from the cozy cabin. He did it for the five days that Christov was sick and was offered a job himself by the end. But Hamish was missing Noreen and took a train home, to share his adventures with her, and maybe have some new ones together.

Hirst tells a charming tale of Hamish, a bear with a taste for adventure and trying new things. He is also a very helpful and thoughtful character, helping out where he can and finding unique solutions to problems he encounters along the way. I was most impressed that Hamish was a success as he tried to help. It became a celebration of trying new things, learning and succeeding rather than what is often seen in children’s books like Curious George where helping becomes failing in a funny way.

The art is simple and friendly, capturing both the expanse of the countryside and the bustle of the city streets. Some of the pages are fully colored while others use white space and smaller images that move the story ahead. Throughout there is a sense of happy positivity.

A glorious adventure full of trains and cranes. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Candlewick Press.

Looking for Smile by Ellen Tarlow

| Tasha
Cover image of Looking for Smile

Looking for Smile by Ellen Tarlow, illustrated by Lauren Stringer (9781534466197)

Bear and Smile spent all their time together doing all sorts of things. Smile was always there when Bear woke up in the morning. They both liked the same breakfast and to explore the forest together. They also both would do anything for some honey. But then one morning, Bear woke up and Smile wasn’t there. Bear called for Smile but they never came. Breakfast didn’t taste the same. Rabbit suggests that Bear look for Smile in their favorite places. But even eating honey doesn’t bring Smile back. Bird comes and sits close to Bear not saying a word. Then Bird started to sing and Bear hummed along. Soon Bear started to feel something deep inside. There was Smile!

Tarlow explores emotions in this picture book, allowing all emotional states to be treated with compassion and empathy. Bear is usually very happy but some days can be blue ones, where it’s impossible to smile. Treating Smile as its own character makes the book really work well. Readers will understand immediately and enjoy seeing what will bring Smile back. They will likely expect the honey to work, and when it doesn’t that’s a great moment where only quiet empathy will work to find Smile again.

The illustrations are done in watercolor, gouache and acrylics. They create an entire world for Bear and Smile to explore and live in together. From Bear’s cozy home to the waterfalls and forests of their habitat. The landscapes are filled with bright colors of water, flowers and leaves. When Bear gets sad though, he changes from his deep warm brown to a cool blue and stays that way until Smile returns.

An empathetic look at emotions and sadness. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Beach Lane Books.