What an adorable story about a bear who falls in love with reading. I think we can all relate in many ways to the character. Recently, I had been on the search for a long time for a book that does justice to libraries without making it out to be a joke. And while I wish it perhaps showcased more of the resources of the library, this book was very nice in its depiction that libraries are meant for everyone.

Thank you to the author, Capstone Editions and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This cute children's book makes a strong case for reading, and for libraries being open for everyone, as it tells the story of a bear that loves reading and books, and goes in search of more books than what little can be found in the forest. We loved the little details, like the bear zooming into the city on a bike (although the kids I read this with worried about the bike's owner missing his bike), I had a slight quibble with the bear being sent away from the bookshop so brusquely, and the offhand remark about grownups hardly noticing anything important. Reading this with kids, we were able to unpack this, but as a stand-alone for young readers, I find this a bit problematic.

The day that Bear discovered a book he realized what all bookstagrammers discover very quickly: more books is always better! But finding more books proves to be a problem. Bear is kicked out of all places he can think of to find new books - a school, a bookshop, no one would let him find more books!

Until he stumbles upon the very best place to find books...I'll let you read to find out what that is!

I enjoyed this book! It was funny, adorably illustrated, and best of all...it highlights that books are for everyone!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

My favorite picture book is for the month of July! The story was adorable, as were the illustrations.

My favorite part was the adults not noticing a bear on a bike zooming by. I'll be honest, it's very true..

Books Aren't for Bears was a very cute book. Bear loves books but everywhere he goes he's told "books aren't for bears". This makes him sad. Will he ever find somewhere that books can be for bears?

My 5 year old son and I read this book together. He loved the illustrations and questioned why bears couldn't have books. I believe the target age is perfect for this book. We will recommend this book to all families with children 4-7.

Thank you for allowing us to read this book in advance, in exchange for our honest review.

Absolutely adding this one to our classroom library! The illustrations drew me in and the story is one my students will surely love. An adorable tale about a Bear who loves books but who is discouraged from reading over and over again. That is, until, one day someone finally welcomes him into a vast new world of books. This changes his life and the lives of his friends forever. This is such a perfect classroom read-aloud for so many reasons.

How adorable can this book get! I'm wondering if anyone reading would catch that the children in the bus, spotted as Bear heads into the city, are in some sort of a library bus? I love that the library is where the bear discovers books are for everyone and that no one took Bear's bike.

A lovely book, but one of those pro-books volumes that merely preach to the converted. A nice bear in the woods is not doing the usual, when he finds a book, gets his owl friend to teach him to read, and – when a separate errand causes it – goes on a trip to the big city to find more books. But there the people are so adamant that bears and books do not match! What is he to do?

I said this will only back up the mindset of book lovers, but it will also enable them to pour scorn on people restricting others' enjoyment of books, like the characters found here in the school and the bookshop. That could be useful, whether we see them as bullies, censorious adults or just stupid. The British creative team behind this – which seems to be getting its first publication in this American edition – do nothing wrong, and it's a lesson a lot of people will obviously be on board with. Is it enough to convert anyone? I'm not sure, but either way this is a strong four stars.

"After all, reading is for everyone!"

Bear finds a book, and after Owl teaches him to read - he's a goner. He MUST find more books. A trip to the big city seems in order, and there Bear finds plenty of book . . . only no one seems willing to let a bear read them. Luckily he discovers the magical world that is the public library where all readers are welcomed inside.

Bears, books, and libraries are all near and dear to my heart, so this one was a triple winner for me.

The delightful illustrations by Katy Halford were the perfect accompaniment to this swell story.

My kids and I loved Books Aren't for Bears! Bear finds a book one day and his friend Owl teaches him how to read. The more that Bear started to read, the more books he wanted. When he finds a bicycle one day he decides to ride to the city with the hope of finding more books. Sadly he's told that "books aren't for bears" when he eventually finds some books at a school and bookshop. When he finds a library he assumes he'll be turned away again and is surprised when he's told that "reading is for everyone!" As a library user and lover myself, I loved that Bear was greeted with open arms at the library. My 3 and 5 year old boys enjoyed the story itself and I loved the deeper meaning that learning is a right that everyone should have. The illustration excellent. Overall a five star children's book for pretty much any age. This would be a great book for new readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Capstone, Capstone Editions for allowing me to be an early reader, All opinions are my own.

I loved sharing this book with my 3rd graders! After reading it, one little girl told me that it makes her feel like grabbing a book to go read! :)

There are humorous parts, which is always a bonus for kids. They thought it was funny/impossible for a bear to ride a bike and we got into a good discussion about it. The kids decided that the moral of the story is that books are for everyone and they need to be treasured/taken care of. I also loved the underlying theme of inclusion.

I always love a good book about books, and this one was an adorable read to share with my kids!

Bear felt content in his life in the woods, until one day he found a book. His friend Owl teaches him to read, he suddenly Bear wants more books. For the rest of the story, Bear is off on a journey to find more books to read, one that takes him in to the big city and eventually to a library.

I loved the story itself, and the pictures were perfect for it. Bight colors, cute animals, great illustrations. My daughter especially loved a line where a librarian said that books are for everyone, and both of my children (ages 6 and 8) really enjoyed this one. They told me to give it five stars, and to please read it one more time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Capstone for the ARC in exchange for our honest opinions.

This book was so cute! I love it and my little guy loved reading it with me. He said "of course books are for everyone!" As it should be.
Illustrations were great, the message was adorable. We loved it.

#arc
#netgalley
#booksarentforbears

Super cute. Beautifully written and illustrated. I love this book. It need to be in every library. I Love the message, One I hold near and dear to my heart as a Librarian. Reading is for everyone!!!!

This book was fun to read and I can relate to the bear since I enjoy weekly trips to the library. I liked how they had bear riding a bicycle since I am always trying to get my kids to enjoy riding their bicycle around the neighborhood. The illustrations are bright and my kids enjoyed seeing all the animals. This story has a nice message and maybe help get other kids excited about reading books like Bear.
I read this book digitally on Net Galley for free but the opinions are all my own.

I love the idea here that our lead character, the Bear, is told that he can't have any books. Or that they are not for him. His continued drive to find some books that might be for him is adorable throughout the pages. It ultimately culminates in him finding a place where the books are for everyone!
(I bet you can guess what magical building this happens in!!)
This is the perfect book to read to any child that loves reading! Or to toddlers to get them enamoured with the idea of reading.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

This was a really sweet book about inclusion. I enjoyed reading it with my kids and it would make a great addition to any family's library. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I read this book for free thanks to NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback.

I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. I can't wait to buy a copy of this book and add it to my classroom library.

I love the lesson that books are for everyone, and also that you shouldn't let anyone stop you from achieving your dreams.

The illustrations were gorgeous. I was drawn to the vibrant pink of Bears' first book, and noticed the prominence of the hue throughout from the books, the bike and all the way to the kind librarian.

Well done!

What an adorable book! it teaches kids that reading is for everybody even bears!
Even thought it was very short I could still connect with the emotions of Bear, his frustration in trying to find a place where he would be accepted to read and his happiness when he found it.
The illustrations were adorable as well, they suited the text perfectly, I loved how diverse the human characters were, it brought a nice touch to this amazing book.
I can see this becoming the favorite of a lot of kids.
I will definitely be recommending it.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this early copy

LOVE that this book promotes reading. We love books and the end of this story made my heart happy. You must have this book for your personal library if you are promoting reading at home. The story is perfect and the illustrations are wonderful.