Bear and Bee

I read Bear and Bee by Sergio Ruzzier.
I checked it out from my library.
5 stars!

After snoozing all winter, the world is springing to life. Bear puts on his flip flops (yes, flip flops! How adorable.) and heads out to calm the hungry rumble in his belly. He comes across a honey bee hive. But bears are afraid of bees! Bear hopes he doesn't see a bee, and thankfully a little friend is there to help him figure out how to get the honey. Bear already has an idea of what a bee looks like in his head, and he is quite surprised when he finds out exactly what his new friend is.

Bear and Bee is a wonderful story about discovering the world around you with an open mind. What you are expecting isn't always what happens, so don't judge things (or people, or animals) before you have all of the details. Add in an ending that teaches how great it is to share. The illustrations are simple and adorable, perfect for reading aloud. The story is short enough to read to young children but funny enough to keep the older children listening. This one made me laugh out loud as well as get that warm fuzzy feeling inside. After one trial run reading it to a group of pretty young preschoolers, I know for sure that this is a story time hit!

That is Not a Good Idea

I read That is Not a Good Idea by Mo Willems
I checked it out from my library.
5 stars!

Written in a style that resembles an old silent film, That is NOT a Good Idea! is the story of a wolf inviting a goose to dinner and the audience that knows what is inevitably going to happen. The kids hearing this story are, of course, a part of the audience along with the chicks. They will be shouting their warning to the main characters. The unexpected ending somehow managed to make this book even better. I can already see the kids' faces when they hear the ending, and hear the parents chuckling in the background at the same time.

I always worry when there is a Mo Willems book that appears on our new book cart at the library where I work. Will it be another gem, or will it feel like another one he just churned out? That is NOT a Good Idea! is definitely a gem; Willems at his finest. I haven't had a chance to read it to a group of preschoolers yet, but I can already tell it will be a hit. It is an easy read-aloud. The illustrations are classic Willems, very appealing to children. The chance for kids to interact with the story is definitely a plus. Adults will appreciate the silent film theme (I love it!) along with the simplicity of the story, and the ending will be a chuckle as well. It's an original story that has a great ending, and it appeals to both children and adults. Win!