Thank you NetGalley.

I love that I get to share my love of books with my kids. My kindergartener absolutely loved the store of Bear. We laughed and she pointed at all the cute illustrations. This one is a winner and on our bookshelf.

Fun, engaging rhyming picture book for kids. My preschooler enjoyed it! I really liked the illustrations and how bright and colorful the book is.

This is a cute little rhyming story. It’s perfect for preschool aged children with Nice and bright illustrations.

In a simple, rhyming, charming way, Bear puzzles out why he is awake and grumpy. Is he a moose, a bird, or a squirrel? Could he be a fox? Lacking familiar characteristics, he doesn’t fit the descriptions we assume.Perhaps if he settles back down for a nice nap and awaits spring, Bear can come to his senses...

When bear just isn't quite sure what he should be...
Such a sweet story of figuring out who you are and how you fit in the world.
Wonderful illustrations and heart warming tale.

With repetition it is easy for young readers to join in. A great review of animal characters and a tie in with being happy with your own talents instead of trying to be like others. This is definitely a new one to add to library, home, and classroom read alouds. Kids will be sure to engage with this fun read.

This is a fairly cute book about a bear speculating what he would be if he weren't a bear.
I liked: the pictures, and that some of them could be used to teach inferencing skills to children ("he's looking at the tree, what animal might he think he is, if he's looking/thinking about the tree."
Some of the rhyming pages

I didn't like:
The concept was not clear. In "Are you My Mother" it's clear the bird doesn't know because we know the mom has gone. Here, the bear is kind of stumbling around wondering who he is. It's kind of a stretch even for a children's book.
Some of the rhymes didn't flow well.

I am not sure yet if I would read this book at school.

Thank you Netgalley for the free review in exchange for an ARC.

While I don't love a rhyming picture book, I appreciate that this one doesn't labor too hard for the rhyme. The narration feels fairly natural, just a few reversals to keep the meter flowing. Small children will enjoy the illustrations as well as the absurdity of the bear trying to become other animals.

A Bear is a Bear is such a cute story! I can imagine reading this to my preschool students and getting a giggle out of them as this silly bear tries to figure out what type of animal he could be. He is definitely confused because he is tired. Its time to hibernate! And when he awakens he truly remembers that he is a bear.

This book is tied together with rhymes, repeated phrases, and beautiful illustrations. I enjoyed reading this and would definitely recommend it to my littlest learners at school.

This is a sweet and simple book that would be perfect for preschoolers! The illustrations are absolutely lovely, and will truly draw the reader in. The humor of the bear trying to be like the different animals and finding the differences between himself and others will appeal to readers, who also may be able to identify with the change that happens once Bear is well-rested. A fun book all around!

So, so, so, so fun. It’s part “swallowed a fly” mixed with a bit of Seuss and it brings a magic all it’s own. Bear can not remember what he is. Is he a bird, or a moose, or even a fox. But each does something that Bear can not do. But with the right leader he will find his way and remember who he is. This will be on library shelves for years with lots of checkouts.

This is such a cute book. I would love to read this to my little kids! They will love it. It is very entertaining.

Books like this remind me of a great replacement for Are You My Mother? I imagine reading this to a kindergarten class and hearing them giggle. I love a book that adds in a little non fiction about animals. Children ages 4 and up.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this advance copy.

This picture book is so cute. It has such beautiful and fun illustrations. The text is fun too!

For a bear is a bear.
Except when he's not...
What would he be if a bear forgot?


I am sucker for cute confused bears. This little bear imagines if he was something different in the forest but because he is a bear, it just doesn't work out. You are you except when you are not can get you in all kinds of trouble. We are never happy trying to be something that we are not.

A Special Thank You to Candlewick Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

A bear imagines he is various different animals in this rhyming story with alliteration and the repeated phrase “For a bear is a bear. Except when he’s not…What would he be if a bear forgot?” The storytime listeners can call out the repeated phrase as well as guess what animal the bear is imitating, including a bird, moose, fox, and squirrel. The narrative also has a cumulative quality, making this an ideal read-aloud; it also mentions hibernation. Colorful mixed media illustrations feature unusual colors in the forest including purple bushes and turquoise trees. Originally published in the UK in 2018.

This is extremely adorable with rhymes and vibrant colors! Bear goes around wondering what he is and tries out all different kinds of animals.

<i>For a bear is a bear.
Except when he’s not...
What would he be if a bear forgot?</i>

Bear is so confused; he’s awake too early in December and can’t figure out what he is. Maybe he’s a moose, a bird, or a squirrel? Could he be a fox? He doesn’t fit the description for any of these creatures, so what on earth is he? One thing bear knows for certain is that he’s tired and grumpy. He settles back down for a nice nap and awaits spring. Will Bear ever come to his senses?

This is such an adorable book that kids will fall in love with. The rhyming story is simple, yet interesting and charming. I don’t think I’ve read a children’s book this year quite as colorful as this one either. It’s sure to put a smile on your little one’s face.

5*****

This is an incredibly fun and silly picture book about a bear who is obviously experiencing sleep exhaustion. The illustrations are bright and done in a style that makes me happy just looking at them. Recommended for a fun story time or bedtime read.

I like this book for so many reasons. Not least because I relate to Bear – I can get a bit forgetful (and a lot) grumpy when I’m tired! Karl has such a wonderful way of conveying a story in a few lyrical words which makes this a great book for picture book readers of all ages – the very young, and also those starting to read for themselves.

There is a wonderful flow through this book, with Karl’s concise and lyrical words sweeping you along on Bear’s journey of self-discovery.Anuska’s illustrations are simply gorgeous. The colours of the forest are so warm you feel like you’re getting a cosy winter hug.

** This is from a larger review to be published on my blog 23 June**