A Christmas for Bear

Bear's curmudgeonly personality and Mouse's cheerful antics provide droll humor conveyed with polished comedic pacing and clever phrases such as "a mournful bite of pickle." Soft-focus illustrations in watercolor, ink, and gouache are particularly strong in the subtle expressions on the animal faces...Another appealing adventure for this delightful duo, just right for a Christmas Eve storytime, perhaps enjoyed with a plate of pickles.

Both text and art will draw smiles as this awkward holiday gathering unfolds, and especially as Bear’s frosty temperament begins to thaw. And, yes, presents—not just pickles—are eventually exchanged.

Kids who’ve followed the previous adventures of formal introvert Bear and cheerful extrovert Mouse will be tickled by Bear’s new ability to use his crusty persona to tease his friend, and those new to our heroes will giggle at the contrast and comic repartee between the two.

Becker and Denton team up once again for a holiday episode that sweetly acknowledges how the friendship between Bear and Mouse has grown from their first meeting in A Visitor for Bear and the multiple titles since then...The warm and playful use of the familiar story structure and characters make for a read-aloud that will add smiles to the holiday.

This odd couple’s banter is evergreen in their sixth book. Cozy illustrations are full of good cheer.

Denton’s warm, expressive illustrations heighten the drama and underscore the affection between these two well-loved characters. An amusing, original holiday story.