Bear Wants More

Wilson's "bear" books are simple, following a rhyme and a pattern that beg readers to join in, and John McDonough's narration certainly promotes that. Hearing his bass voice and gruff demeanor, the listener can almost see a big, often cuddly but currently unhappy bear. He's hungry, and he wants more! As his friends lead him to different sources of food, bear eats and eats and eats, until, finally, bear is full. Only now his friends are hungry. McDonough narrates at just the right pace--steady and consistent--allowing the reader to follow the words. Although the illustrations add to the overall effect, McDonough brings the story to life even without them. W.L.S. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

January 1, 2003
Several books follow the footsteps of earlier titles. The ursine hero from the best-selling Bear Snores On emerges from hibernation in Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson, illus. by Jane Chapman. The "more" he wants is food, of course: "When springtime comes,/ in his warm winter den/ a bear wakes up/ very hungry and thin!" His friends are happy to indulge him, but when he heads home, stuffed, he's in for a surprise.