Ben Loves Bear

Starred review from December 3, 2012
McPhail gives readers an intimate view of the friendship between a small boy and his stuffed (but very active) bear. No adults appear—the only other character is a bluebird that pops up occasionally. McPhail’s prose is stripped to the bare essentials, gently rocking back and forth between the friends: “Ben tickles Bear. Bear laughs. Bear does tricks. Ben laughs, too.” Theirs is a soft, comforting world of cereal and honey breakfasts, hide and seek, and quiet bedtime reading. McPhail’s quiet, pastel-hued paintings ensure that readers will be glad to revisit Ben and Bear. Ages 2–4. Agent: Faith Hamlin, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.

A lovely, toddler-friendly tale of a little boy's relationship with his teddy bear. Each page uses two- or three-word sentences and quiet scenes to express Ben and Bear's daily life and mutual affection. The inseparable duo engages in familiar activities, such as hide-and-seek, getting dressed and sandbox play. "Ben tickles Bear. Bear laughs. / Bear does tricks. Ben laughs, too." While Bear is undoubtedly a stuffed toy, the teddy interacts with Ben as a fully realized playmate and companion. McPhail, in top form here, has created soft watercolors with rounded lines that adroitly capture Ben's toddler movements. The artist's use of full spreads and smaller visual vignettes spotlighted in hazy, round borders gives the simple, easy-reader-like text rhythm and balance. Already a gifted artist, McPhail proves here that he intrinsically understands what the youngest readers want and need. (Board book. 18 mos.-3) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2013

PreS-Ben and his favorite stuffed toy are together from morning to night, and they seem to exist contentedly in their own little world. They wake up together and then, "Ben has cereal. Bear has honey" at the kitchen table. They play hide-and-seek, Ben gets dressed while Bear watches, they play outdoors, Bear waits patiently while Ben bathes, and the day winds down as the two snuggle up for bedtime, complete with a story. The illustrations alternate between spreads and smaller scenes set against a white background. McPhail's classic watercolor style creates a comfortable and warm atmosphere that will resonate with youngsters.-Laura Butler, Mount Laurel Library, NJ

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