Bernstrom, Daniel. Bear, a Bee, and a Honey Tree, A. Brandon James Scott, Illus. Hippo Park, 11/2022. 40pp. Picture Book. GRADES Preschool – 1. $18.99. 978-1-6626-4008-7. OUTSTANDING.
Humor, action, and playful rhymes will delight young readers as well as support developing readers in this amusing picture book. A hungry bear searches for honey, as the story starts out with a simple “a bear / a bee / a honey tree.” The simple text is bold, set against solid backgrounds, and spread out to support developing readers. The expressive and vivid illustrations balance well with the text, adding humor and visual punch lines as well as moving the story along at a crisp pace. As the action builds, the bear thrusts “a paw in the tree” and encounters “a very angry fuzzy bee / a grumbling bee / a rumbling tree / a million fuzzy buzzing bees.” Colorful illustrations are full of movement and display the range of emotions with exaggerated expressions. This will have young audiences laughing, as they relate to the angry bees and have sympathy for the frustrated, hungry bear. Well suited as a readaloud or a picture book for developing readers.
Mary Ann Scheuer—Independent