Why? by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

 Life is a little confusing right now. I give you an inquisitive Rabbit and a patient Bear to explain things.

As adults, I think it is easy to forget how illogical the world is to kids. This poor little white bunny is right in the midst of figuring things out.  

The rabbit just asks "Why?" and the bear, because he is such a good friend already knows the question and answers accordingly. 

It is a very quick read, but on each page, there is the chance to have a discussion about something. 

Isn't this sweet? 

Sometimes there are no good answers. Death can be senseless. 

I just love this sweet bear with his concerned face. 

Then Rabbit becomes worried about bear hibernating. 

"Because then I would miss my friend..."

They sit and contemplate separation and seasons.

When bear does hibernate, Rabbit sits nearby to wait. 

I love this book.

For all those curious kids in your life! 

Big Bear Ball by JoAnne Ryder & Illus by Steven Kellogg

This book is a riot of color and exuberance. 

I am sure I have already discussed my childhood obsession with Steven Kellogg. But if I haven't, he was a rockstar in my little kid library. Pinkerton! That wild sea monster! The tadpole that got too big! Paul Bunyan! Johnny Appleseed! 

He was kind of a big deal to us.

Those colors though!

This book is rhyming and lilting, one of those books that is sort of like a song without a tune.

Mostly, this book has a lot of bears getting together for a shin-dig.

And these bears do not stint on enthusiasm.

So much enthusiasm they get the other animals involved.

They even take on Gator.

And with the sunrise, they are away.

Until next time!

Seriously. Even though a lot of my favorite illustrators today use a muted palette and folk-arty style, Steven Kellogg will always have a place in my heart. 

A Perfect Day by Lane Smith

What is a perfect day? Does everyone think one particular kind of day is perfect? 

This is a great one for teaching perspective .

The sun figures in a lot of perfect day scenarios.

Cat loves to be in the daffodil bed with the sun. 

That is a perfect day for Cat.

Dog likes sun and water.

Chickadee likes sun and food.

For squirrel, a perfect day involves a corn cob all to herself. 

But a bear!!! That was not in the perfect day plan!

Bear eats the corn and ruins squirrel's perfect day. 

He ruins Dog's day. 

He ruins the flowers AND Cat's day at the same time. 

Bear is making this a terrible day for EVERYone. 

But wait a minute... is this Bear's perfect day?!

I think so. 

Ernest and Celestine by Gabrielle Vincent

This is SUCH A CUTE BOOK. A bear and a mouse, best friends. It seems like Ernest, the bear, is also older and wiser than Celestine, so a sort of father figure dynamic going on. 

But whatever they are, they are perfectly adorable. 

Celestine brings Gideon, her green beaked duck on a walk with Ernest. 

Gideon has a mishap.

Sadness and sorrow

Finger of blame

Gideon met an unfortunate end. 

Ernest tries to figure out how to compensate for this tragedy. 

He compensates lavishly

But... They aren't Gideon.

So Ernest asks Celestine to draw Gideon just so. 

He then works away at his project.

All that work is well rewarded!

All that joy needs an outlet--a party is planned!

Chaos and joy and tears.

A giant sleepover

Is all forgiven? 

I think so. 

Horrible Bear! by Ame Dyckman & Illus by Zachariah OHora

This book has an unreasonable and feisty redhead as a main character, so it is pretty awesome! 

Here she is, flying her little kite. I think we can assume she is unreasonable at this point, but we just don't know it yet. 

Her kite flew onto bear's tummy. She walks in to retrieve it, but not before bear rolls over and breaks it. 

(Do you see bear's teddy bear?)

She reacts in all her unreasonableness glory. 

She maintains her unreasonableness the whole way home, ruining people's day in the process. Poor Goat just trying to have a picnic! 

She has a cute clothesline! 

I have a thing for clotheslines and I am not sure why. They are just so super!

The dazed bear began to come to. He reviewed his grievances. 

And got an idea....

First he practiced being horrible.

I love this bear and his Froggy Hollow t-shirt. 

They are both charging stompers. 

Annnnnd in all her huff and annoyance, she manages to break her favorite listener. 

All the starch goes out of her. 

Buuuut Bear is still being horrible on his way to see her. 

Poor goat. And squirrel! Do you see the little squirrel with a teacup? She is wearing a dress! So cute! 

He takes that cute clothesline to bits.

And then she apologizes and bear becomes a dear. 

(hahaaha)

And they repair all their horrible behavior damage.

And became friends together. Friends capable of horribleness. But aren't we all? 

(His book titles, in case you need to know these things are as follows:

Blueberries

The Goldilocks Myth

1,000 Ways to Cook Porridge)