Review by Booklist Review
A restless bear and a brave boy bond over toasted marshmallows in a story of unexpected friendship, translated from French. Because it is winter, Hiro's family members are sleeping. Hiro, however, appears to be the extrovert in the group and is curious about what is happening outside in the cold. Quietly leaving her home, she follows unfamiliar tracks and a good smell to find a group of children around a bonfire. They all scatter at the sight of a bear, but one boy, Émile, tries to talk to Hiro. Hiro and Émile are able to communicate and eventually find they have much in common. Dreamy illustrations rendered in colored pencil, watercolor, acrylic paint, and markers capture the magical qualities of the story and make this impromptu party seem possible. The image of Hiro sitting by herself, sadly holding the marshmallows over the fire, will resonate with any child who has ever been lonely. Hiro's brave spirit and her connection with Émile make for a fairy-tale type of atmospheric winter adventure.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A wintry bonfire establishes creaturely camaraderie between two unlikely friends in this warmhearted story. As most of the Ursidae family "wallow in honey-sweet dreams," their forms sprawled across bunk beds, curious brown bear Hiro, desiring adventure, sneaks outside for a walk, bear stuffie and honey bear in tow. Lured by the scent of roasting marshmallows, Hiro feels excitement upon spotting a human party, but desolation descends when the celebrants hastily depart in fear ("Hiro sighs so deeply over the embers that the fire is rekindled"). Luckily, one youthful self-described "marshmallow expert" stays behind, and the pair discover much in common when sharing their perspectives ("What's it like, being a bear?" queries Émile; "What's it like, being an Émile?" Hiro responds). Thick, dark coloring gives Schneider's mixed-media illustrations drama, especially in memorable wordless spreads of the parka-wearing partygoers escaping, while text frequently surprises with its original phrasing. The duo's connection comes across as genuinely sweet in this work of thoughtful exploration. Human characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4--8. (Sept.)
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Review by Horn Book Review
A curious bear and a human boy strike up an unexpected friendship in this philosophical Belgian import. In wintertime, Hiro is restless in her family's den while her three brothers snooze on a four-tiered bunkbed. Tired of counting the hairs on her paw, she ignores her parents' warnings about the cold, packs her backpack with such necessities as honey and a notebook, and walks out into the snow. Schneider's evocative art creates a cozy feel in these opening spreads, with the brown of Hiro's fur popping against the cave's gray walls and gently falling white snowflakes. Playful text reflects both the bear's excitement and her trepidation, especially when she sees odd footprints and smells something delicious: marshmallows being toasted by a group of children. A series of witty wordless spreads shows the kids spotting her and then fleeing in fear in various directions. After the despondent Hiro starts to cry, one curious and increasingly brave boy, Emile, approaches and calms her. The two engage in an amusing common-ground conversation about what it is like being a bear and what it is like being "an Emile." A climactic moment with the duo wearing red party hats and enjoying a multicolored campfire brings the narrative to a satisfying close. Hiro can now hibernate peacefully -- and readers may have found a new bedtime favorite. Brian E. WilsonSeptember/October 2024 p.61 (c) Copyright 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
Longing to experience winter, a brown bear named Hiro shares a frosty evening with a newfound human friend. Despite her parents' warnings about the perils of the season, Hiro's determined to find out about it for herself. She sneaks out while her family is hibernating and is enchanted by what she sees. Drawn to noises in the forest, Hiro happens upon a party. A chaotic multipage sequence depicts children in brightly colored winter gear scampering away. Only Émile, a pale-skinned child clad in a puffy coat that mirrors the color of Hiro's fur, remains. In delightfully surreal style, the two sit companionably, comparing their lives before concluding that "being a bear or being an Émile is pretty much the same, in the end." They leave for home, content. Like the marshmallows the pair bond over, this quietly meditative Belgian import is worth savoring; the tale is filled with delectable sensory imagery, from Hiro's brothers who "wallow in honey-sweet dreams" to the "tiny white confetti" that falls from the sky. The warmly rounded, matte-colored mixed-media illustrations have a theatrical feeling, keeping the focus on Hiro's emotional journey. Pages alternate between vignettes surrounded by copious white space and expansive full-bleed spreads, such as a dark, cozy page where the friends gaze at each other, wearing party hats the color of the fire. Tranquility, camaraderie, and gooey marshmallows add up to one sweet combo. (Picture book. 4-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
