Synopsis
Bob is a bear who feels he's very boring, especially in comparison to his lively friend Jack. But in the course of this charming book, Bob learns that every bear has his own way of doing things -- and there isn't a right way or a wrong way.
Children's Literature
Young children can always benefit from engaging tales that remind them that friends do not have to be clones of one another. In fact, they can quite different in a wide variety of ways, as are the meditative Brown Bear, Bob, and his hyperactive Panda friend, Jack. The story is narrated in the first person by Bob, who begins by warning the reader, "I am very boring." As he continues, it becomes clear Bob is also quite comfortable with his laid-back style as well as the whirlwind of activity that accompanies Jack. Alsenas's boldly colored illustrations nicely alternate between clean background pages showing Bob sitting about with the very busy activity that fills the pages of Jack's surfing and skateboarding. It is not terribly clear why these two opposites are attracted to each other; however, there is no question about the depth of their friendship. It is possible the ambiguity could trigger good discussions about what it means to be a friend and the importance of accepting differences. Reviewer: Mary Hynes-Berry