I see you, Sad Bear

PreS-Gr 2--Kousky's latest begins with questions for the bear of the title about why he is so sad. An animal resembling a deer watches the bear and offers multiple possibilities: "Did your ice cream drop on the ground?" "Is today, perhaps, a cold and rainy day?" The deer finally muses, "Maybe there is no reason at all. You are just simply sad." The deer tries to cheer the bear up by solving those potential problems, e.g., by sharing his ice cream. But, he concludes, "If after all, you feel a little blue, it's okay… Sometimes I get sad, too." The illustrations smartly reflect the mood of the story, employing grays and blues when Sad Bear is sad, culminating in a dark cityscape lit only by streetlights and the moon. A cheery yellow dominates when the deer tries to help, though the book ends with the two sitting together in a still dark, though less melancholy skyline setting. Children may latch on to the many other pages focused on the reason for the bear's sadness and his friend's attempts to make him happy, rather than the concluding message of the comfort found in sitting with a friend in their sadness. VERDICT Well-intentioned, but unless it's shared or used in groups, this is an additional purchase for SEL shelves.--Lindsay Loup

A kind friend helps by recognizing a friend's sadness. Bear is a solitary, unhappy, small figure against a backdrop of lively playgrounds, streets, and skylines that suggest a New York setting. An antlered friend notices and asks gently, "Sad Bear, why are you so sad?" Maybe it's because of a dropped ice cream cone, a lost balloon, cold, wet weather, or a forgotten birthday. Maybe something was broken accidentally or a special tree was chopped down. Or "maybe it's because the world is such a big place, and you are only a little bear. Or maybe there is no reason at all. You are just simply sad." There might be solutions; in several sunny pages the deer shares some ice cream, helps track down the lost balloon, and gathers friends for a party. The pair plant some seeds and find indoor adventure on a rainy day. "But, Sad Bear, if after all, you still feel a little blue," says the deer reassuringly, "it's okay. I understand. Sometimes I get sad too." The message that it's OK to grapple with difficult feelings--and that they're something we all deal with sometimes--is conveyed with admirable simplicity. The details of the city with animal denizens and amusing alternate versions of Times Square and the Statue of Liberty are funny and sweet. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Gracefully understated and understanding, for Sad Bears and their friends, too. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.