Bear's New Friend

Wilson, Karma. Bear’s New Friend. Illustrated by Jane Chapman. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2006. ISBN 0689859848. $16.95. Ages 3-7.

Bear decides he wants to go outside and play. As he is looking for his friends he keeps hearing a noise. He tries to find out who this creature is. He finds Mouse, Hare, Badger, Gopher and Mole. Still no one knows who the creature is. Then they hear a noise come from down in the hole. Then Raven and Wren show and help look too. All the friends find a shy little owl hiding. At last they all go to the swimming hole together.
Wilson uses a poetic voice throughout the story. This keeps the plot and story line flowing and easy to read. The rhythm can help smaller children to read better and memorize the story. Jane Chapman used acrylic paint for the pictures. The colors are vibrant and bright. One can really tell it is a nice warm, sunny, summer day outside. The detail is very precise, especially in the animal’s fur or feathers. The painting is just amazing because the detail is sharper towards the front of your perspective than it is towards the back (farther away). There is also tiny detail you really have to look for to even know it is there. It is almost like a hidden picture book. Bear’s New Friend is a sweet tale. It portrays how making new friends is not so easy. The characters are charming and sweet throughout just trying to figure out who the creature is and trying to become friends with him.

Ashley Wittler, BGSU student