Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Lighthouse keeper Bear, a squat gray figure with dots for eyes, lives alone on a remote island. Having dispensed with official duties (gouache and colored pencil illustrations offer a glimpse of the lighthouse happenings via a vertically oriented cutaway), it's time to catch lunch. Down at the shore, Bear hooks a rainbow-checkered sail along with fish Eustace, who has colorful stripes, pleading eyes, and a burning desire not to become a meal. "Please don't eat me," Eustace pleads as Bear, having offered a perfunctory reassurance, places the fish in a soup pot. The appearance of a broken-winged heron gives Eustace a brilliant delaying tactic: Bear should make a sailcloth wing! The fish then skirts demise twice more by suggesting Bear use the remaining sailcloth to create a cozy ursine outfit and a dapper blazer for a shark who wants to be more relatable. Helping others and indulging in a little self-care feels good, so instead of fish stew, Bear opts for tomato soup--and friendship with Eustace. Via winning characterizations that pair well with offbeat, understated humor, Cho (Pig Town Party) will have readers falling hook, line, and sinker for this interspecies buddy comedy. Ages 4--8. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (Oct.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--What can you stitch together with a washed-up sail? A fashionable sweater, a dashing hat, a mended wing, or maybe--a new friend? Bear is quite settled in their solitary lighthouse life until one day, while fishing for dinner, they reel in a technicolor surprise: a checkerboard sail with a panicked fish named Eustace wrapped inside. As Eustace stalls Bear's culinary plans, predator and prey are visited by other seaside passersby, and using the sail, Eustace inspires Bear to embrace hidden talents for sewing and helping others while discovering that they can become fast friends. Cho's thoughtful text placement and hilarious dialogue have the makings of a new story-hour favorite. With their signature blend of colored pencil and paint, the delightful illustrations are not only seen from a distance, but can stand alone, allowing early readers to decode the story independently. A minor issue with sequencing appears near the story's end, but it is easily forgiven in exchange for a heartfelt and humorous conclusion. VERDICT A vibrantly illustrated tale of finding friendship through creativity, this book is a strong addition to picture book collections and story hour shelves.--Bill Ives
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A luncheon morsel talks his way out of a hungry bear's stomach--and into the animal's heart. A lighthouse keeper named Bear (who usesthey/them pronouns) adheres to a strict daily routine, which includes fishing for lunch. Today, they catch two things: a multicolored patchwork sail and a fish by the name of Eustace. Eustace repeatedly pleads not to be eaten ("I have a girlfriend waiting for me at home"), but every time he does, Bear offers empty reassurances ("I wouldnever") while popping Eustace into a cooking pot or adding delicious-looking vegetables. The two are interrupted by a heron and a shark, both of whom need help that only the sail (and Bear's sewing skills) can provide. When the sail is almost entirely used up, Eustace accepts his fate, but helping others has given Bear a sense of empathy that was previously lacking. Bear declares that dinner is tomato soup, and after seeing the heron and shark devouring other fish in the sea, Eustace decides that living with Bear is far preferable to returning to the ocean. Cho milks maximum hilarity out of the dichotomy between Bear's words and actions (readers will put as much stock in Bear's assurances as Eustace does). Panels outlined in rope amid gouache and colored pencil imbue the narrative with a nicely nautical feel. A foe is tricked into friendship and everyone's a winner in this fresh and funny tale.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
