Review by Booklist Review
The award-winning husband-and-wife team is back with their fourth in a series about two friends a big orange furry bearlike character and his small fuzzy purple friend. This time, it's the three's a crowd theme on display: when a blue rabbit appears asking, Can I play with you? only the bear agrees. The expressions on the little purple guy's face are hilarious he's gobsmacked at the mere suggestion of a third friend and then steaming mad as he mischievously sabotages the rabbit. He complains mightily (they are a duet, after all!). Angry at his friend, the little creature conspires with rabbit to build a car too small to fit the big bear. This makes the bear cry, until eventually all three decide to make up and play spies together. But then . . . a fourth animal shows up asking to play! Children are left to decide what will happen next. Simple, humorous cartoon illustrations on generous white space are created in ink and watercolor. Fun for read-alouds or read-alones.--Lolly Gepson Copyright 2019 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
In the latest outing for these bear besties, the pair is confronted with a major challenge: "Can I play with you?" asks a third party. One bear welcomes this interloper; the other feels excluded and isn't above a little sabotage. The hilarious histrionics are set against white backdrops that foreground the cartoonish bears' Elephant and Piggieworthy shtick. (c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Two friends navigate the tricky waters of including a third into their duo.The bear pals from You Are (Not) Small (2014) and its successors are back, learning another childhood lesson. This time they are figuring out friendship skills. The large brown bear and small purple bear stand next to a toy chest stuffed with infinite possibilities. But a blue rabbit stops them in their tracks by asking the ultimate vulnerable question: "Can I play with you?" The big brown bear doesn't hesitate: "Yes!" But the small purple bear isn't sure: "Well." The rabbit and the larger bear happen to be wearing matching bowler hats, and they grab some canes and launch into a tap-dance sequence, with the tiny purple bear (in a pith helmet) huffing to catch up. But then the situation is upended, with the rabbit (now also in a pith helmet) and the tinier ursine friend building a jeep out of blocks. The large brown bear tries to squeeze in, but it's only a two-seater. No matter what they try to play, there always seems to be one friend left out. Tears ensue, but a clarification of "best" and "new" friend solves the dilemma. Kang and Weyant's childcentric sensibilities are funny and empathetic. Humorous expressions and comedic timing lighten the rejection and anger oft stemming from young group dynamics.This friendship will likely face many more tests, but these pals are stronger because of this one. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
