Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Fox, Hedgehog, Rabbit, and Mouse have one well-read storybook; they love it, but it's worn and sticky with jam. When they realize that they cannot dig up books like they can potatoes and that books don't fall from the sky like shooting stars, the animals pack some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and stumble into the perfect spot for reading; the problem is that it's Bear's house. Bear has a lot of books that the four friends want to read, but Bear does not want sticky paw prints all over his belongings. "WHO'S BEEN READING MY BOOKS?!" he growls like one of the three bears from "Goldilocks." However, this book-loving bear is empathetic when he hears that the friends have only one volume to share, so he opens up the forest's first library-but with some strict rules. VERDICT With its blend of bibliophilia and etiquette, this story about the value of books will be enjoyed by preschoolers. A perfect read-aloud for introducing the library and its services.-Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, Alta. © Copyright 2017. 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 Kirkus Book Review
Yet another picture-book paean to the pleasure of reading. Hedgehog, Rabbit, Fox, and Mouse are friends who live together and love stories. Every night they read the same worn-out storybook. Wouldn't it be nice to find a new book? Off they set, armed against hunger with peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches. They soon find one under a bush, but written inside is "This book belongs to: Bear" and a strongly worded warning: "KEEP YOUR PAWS OFF!" Of course, they must return it. When they reach Bear's house, he's not at home, but an open window is an implicit invitation to all the animals to slip inside, where they find books everywhere! What follows next will be obvious to adults, but kids will enjoy the fairy-tale echo as Bear bellows, "WHO'S BEEN READING MY BOOKS?!" The interlopers step forward, and soon all the animals realize their mutual love of books makes for a cozy club and a happy ending: "books are wonderful to read alone, but even better when shared." Even leaving aside the obvious parallel to "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," the simple storyline is not particularly original, very similar to Annie Silvestro and Tatjana Mai-Wyss' Bunny's Book Club (2017), among many others. Still, there's just enough suspense and details for young listeners, and the heavy paper and charming illustrations make it suitable for storytimes. A sweet if inessential affirmation of the pleasures of reading. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
