Review by Booklist Review
Pleased to find a small, empty box, Bear calls it the greatest thing ever! and he decides to take it to his friend Mouse. Along the way, he meets Monkey, Owl, Fox, Elephant, Squirrel, and Rabbit, but no one really appreciates his find. Bear begins to doubt his earlier enthusiasm until Mouse comes along. After listening to Bear and exploring the box inside and out, Mouse pronounces it the greatest thing ever! and curls up inside it for a nap. Designed and illustrated with a minimum of fuss, the book can be enjoyed by very young children, while somewhat older ones may want to talk about how they feel when others don't value the things they treasure. In his first picture book, author-illustrator Foley shows unusual restraint in letting essential lines, areas of flat color, and a little stippled shading illustrate the equally spare text. In an age of visual glitz, this simple picture book speaks in a refreshingly unpretentious way. --Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2007 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Foley, making his children's book debut, is an award-winning graphic designer and the creative director for the hipster-fashionista bibles Visionaire, V and VMan. His simple story concerns "a little bear [who] found a little box." The cub thinks it is "the greatest thing ever!" But on his way to presenting the box to his friend Mouse, the furry hero meets up with naysayers whose discouragement ranges from "I've seen those before" (an owl) to "You're holding it the wrong way" (a fox). But Mouse looks at the box "this way and that," and agrees with his pal's original rave, to the letter. Mouse gratefully makes the box his new home (hence, the title). Foley combines an energetic ink line with pleasingly off-register washes of muted color, giving his pages a handsome, retro look. He strips down the story and the illustrations to their essence, allowing toddlers to place themselves in the cub's position, and rejoice when his best friend appreciates his gift-a box just right for Mouse to make his own. Ages 3-up. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Bear has found something fantastic-a little box that Mouse will just love. But by the time Bear shows it to his friend, he is unsure of his gift's value, because everyone he has met along the way has pooh-poohed it as either too small, too ordinary, or better in someone else's hands. But Bear and Mouse aren't friends for nothing. Sure enough, Mouse agrees that the box is "the greatest thing ever." Bear's journey from euphoria to doubt to euphoria again is gently rendered. There is not a lot of detail in this book, but not a lot is needed. Pastels provide the backdrop for the text, while Bear and his detractors stand in contrast on a white page, carrying the story with their expressions and body language. Young listeners, particularly those who understand the value of leaves and stones and bottle caps, will love this book. They will hope that Bear will remain steadfast and trust in Mouse, who rewards Bear's thoughtfulness with the gratitude of a true friend. Absolutely charming.-Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Little Bear finds a tiny box and decides it's a perfect present for Mouse. But all the other animals dismiss the small gift (""I've seen those before,"" says Owl), leaving Bear to doubt the specialness of his find. The story doesn't stand up to repeated readings, but the loose-handed drawings splashed with muted colors are worth a second look. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
One day Bear finds a small box, "the greatest thing ever," and sets out to give it to Mouse, certain he will love it. Along the way, Monkey, Owl, Fox, Elephant, Squirrel and Bunny are not impressed and say so individually. A bit shot down in his confidence, Bear ponders the value of his gift but is reassured when Mouse approaches, crawls into the box and proclaims, "It's the greatest thing ever!" The simplicity of this pattern book is offset by the reflective theme of friendship and self-esteem. Little ones will undoubtedly be able to identify with Bear's emotions as they watch him move from benevolent joy to uncertainty and doubt and then to gleeful satisfaction. Watercolor animal figures, outlined in strong black lines and set mostly against a white background, distinctly convey the dnouement. Halfway through the story, Foley's use of a single darker brown background effectively portrays Bear's declining mood and doubt. A smooth union of words and art to illustrate an important message. (Picture book. 3-5) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
