Bear with Me (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Bear with Me Deborah Stevenson, Editor Kornell, Max. Bear with Me; written and illus. by Max Kornell. Putnam, 2011. [32p]. ISBN 978-0-399-25257-0 $15.99 Reviewed from galleys R 5–8 yrs. “I thought the family was already complete,” complains Owen, who’s dismayed when his parents bring home a bear, Gary, to round out the family. Like any former only child, Owen’s annoyed with having to share and peeved that his parents are spending so much time with the newcomer (who keeps Owen awake at night with his snoring); eventually, though, Owen begins to realize that the new family member offers his own special contributions, too. Though the dethronement story is a pretty familiar one, Kornell brings a wry, at times epigrammatic style to Owen’s narration, and he’s clearly inviting his audience to share in the joke of the ursine twist on the usual family-addition story (“They said they always wanted a bear”). Mixed-media art has the soft familiarity of watercolors with a crisp and comedic immediacy conferred by a cartoonish vigor in outlining and facial drawing and by collaged layering of the cut-out figures against the backdrops. Gary in particular is a big, appealingly goofy presence, far more desirable than the squalling new baby he’s standing in for. Kids will argue that they’d rather have a bear than a baby sib anytime, but they’ll gigglingly take the point. Copyright © 2011 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois