One Bear Extraordinaire

June 15, 2015
With a backpack stuffed with musical instruments, “Bear was a rambling musician. An entertainer. A legend.” In McGowan’s debut, he learns that being part of a band is even more rewarding than life as a solo artist. As Bear travels the forest, he befriends banjo-strumming Fox, accordion-wielding Raccoon, and others. No Bremen Town Musicians, these animals make great music together, and a small hiccup—Wolf Pup doesn’t seem to have a knack for any instrument—is quickly resolved when he makes his vocal talents known. McGowan’s writing has a pleasing musical lilt (“And so they trekked and they tramped, on and on, into the valley, where they heard a fiddle on the wind”), but it’s her artwork that really stands out. Creating carefully assembled three-dimensional scenes from hand-painted cut-paper elements, McGowan’s layered images have a rusticity that’s in keeping with her itinerant musicians’ free-spirited mind-set (the accordion folds of Raccoon’s accordion are an especially charming touch). It’s a fine choice for those whose preferred song is that of the open road. Ages 4–8. Agent: Emily van Beek, Folio Literary Management.

Starred review from July 15, 2015
Themes of inclusivity and individuality will strike chords with readers in McGowan's debut picture book. The story opens with the titular Bear, who is described as "a rambling musician. An entertainer. A legend." When he comes up with a new song, however, he feels that "something is missing." He sets out to discover what this "something" is, and in spread after double-page spread, he encounters various instrument-playing creatures who join with him to form a band. A twist comes when they encounter Wolf Pup, who doesn't have an instrument. Good intentions come up short as Bear empties out his backpack to try to find something that will do: "Anyone can play it," Bear says of a kazoo, and a forlorn little Wolf Pup sits with it dangling from his mouth by the group's campsite. In a happy turn of events that lends agency to the group's littlest member, that night, Wolf Pup howls while they play their music, adding just the right "something" to the song. "We've got ourselves a singer!" Bear exclaims. McGowan's art, three-dimensional illustrations of painted, cut, assembled, and photographed scenes, is a wonder to behold in its ingenuity and animation. Now all this story needs is an audience, and it's sure to drum one up. (Picture book. 3-7)

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September 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 2-Bear is a "rambling musician" and composer who plays triangle, tambourine, xylophone, drums, harmonica, trumpet, and cowbell, but mostly guitar. Dressed in jeans and a red and white cap and carrying instruments and camping gear on his back, Bear meets a succession of other pants-wearing woodland animal musicians. Each of them adds something to Bear's unfinished song, except Wolf Pup, who fails at every instrument he tries. When the moon rises, however, Wolf Pup adds his voice, the very sound Bear had been missing all along. The story is a musically inflected version of the reams of picture books about finding one's individual gifts; the art is the real star here. Collage, drawing, and three-dimensional layered cut-paper illustrations photographed by the author-illustrator will reward close looking. The bright-eyed animals and their exquisite paper accessories (from buttons to s'mores) have a dollhouse charm. VERDICT This gentle, folksy tale will be a harmonious addition to many collections.-Sarah Stone, San Francisco Public Library

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2015
Preschool-G Bear is a musical sensation known across the wilderness for his nimble paws, honey harmonies, and twinkle-toed grace, until one day his music loses its extraordinary quality. He begins to search high and low for the elusive element his songs are lacking. Along the way, he joins forces with a banjo-playing fox, an accordion-playing raccoon, and a fiddle-playing rabbit. While their sound is good, bear knows something is still missing. At last, a wolf pup joins the group and provides the key ingredient when he begins to howl. Bear watches the music swirl and hover over the ridge . . . echo through the canyon . . . and fill the sky. Beautifully designed, richly colored cut-paper illustrations effectively show the movement implicit in Bear's musical search while allowing each character's unique personality to shine through. Sweeping landscapes alternate with scenes in rustic frames that give the effect of placing the characters on a stage. There is much to relish in this story of camaraderie.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)