Big Bear, Small Mouse

October 3, 2016
This is more an opposites primer than a full-fledged story, but it’s nonetheless a fine addition for fans of Wilson and Chapman’s Bear series. “Big, big, big!” Bear is friends with “small, small, small!” Mouse, proof that opposites not only attract but are also fun to look at. As the duo walks through the forest, various friends appear—readers will recognize Badger, Rabbit, and others from the previous Bear books—representing additional contrasts in terms of size, speed, audio level, and habitat: “What’s that up above?/ There’s a flutter in the sky./ Wren is flying low,/ while Owl is soaring high.” The circle of friends is complete when the birds’ geographic opposites, Mole and Gopher, “tunnel up and join the happy crowd./ The sun sets on the quiet woods,/ but all the friends are loud!” Chapman alternates lush forest scenes with distilled images set against white backdrops—a nifty visual contrast of its own—before wrapping up with the friends seeking shelter in Bear’s lair; the cave party, aglow with firelight, is a lovely and reassuring signature of the series. Ages 3–7.

Forest-animal friends launch a string of contrasting terms to illustrate opposites just as a storm brings everyone together in Bear's cozy lair.Big Bear of Bear Snores On (2002) returns to meet up with small Mouse. Together they greet Hare and Badger, Wren and Owl, Mole and Gopher as each pair is given succinct, divergent, one-word descriptions. "There's a clatter in the glen / High Owl, low Wren. / Slow Badger, fast Hare. / Small Mouse, big Bear!" Lovely acrylic paintings depict a verdant woodland hosting lightly anthropomorphized critters that exhibit expressively affable faces. Each new pair of characters and its corresponding portrayal is introduced against a stark white background that gives way after the page turn to a double-page spread that lists them cumulatively. The engaging language smoothly presents new vocabulary like "glen" and "lair" ahead of the rhyming, repetitive refrain, with opposing descriptive words set in bold type. Just in time, Raven warns of the approaching rain, prompting everyone to seek shelter. "All together, gathered there. / Cold night, warm lair. / Quiet woods, loud friends. / High Owl, low Wren. / Slow Badger, fast Hare. / Small mouse...BIG BEAR!" Fluent and friendly, this frolic will encourage preschoolers and emergent readers to recite and chant along with each reread. (Picture book. 3-6) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 1, 2016

PreS-K-In the woods there are many friends. Some are large, and others are small. Some fly high and others low. Some are fast, while others move slowly. The world is full of opposites, but they are able to come together in a way that is just right. In a beautifully vibrant forest, Wilson and Chapman's animals come to life with love and charm. A bear, a badger, an owl, a mouse, and many more woodland creatures demonstrate the concept of opposites. With pleasant expressions and a cheerful tone, the characters are adorable and endearing. The text is simple and easy to grasp for even the youngest viewers. A combination of lush green illustrations and crisp white backgrounds creates the perfect contrast with the turn of every page. The talented author/illustrator duo have produced another outstanding picture book for the preschool audience. VERDICT Fans of Bear Snores On will want to add this fun and effortless tool for teaching opposites to their storytime repertoires.-Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE

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