Bear wakes up happy from hibernation and looking forward to spring. He looks up and sees a bird flying by, one that is singing, Chick-a-dee-dee-dee. Bear loves the sound and talks to the bird. He also sings, a deep low basso profudo. Bird tells him about her audition for the opera and they decide that they can be a duet. They practise and practise, but only bird is selected for the opera. Bear is sad that they are no longer a duet, but bird tells him that whenever they sing together they are a duet. They are the best of friends and even when bear hibernates the next winter, bird stays close and even visits him in his cave. This is a delightful story about friendship. Sometimes it is hard for friends when one is successful and the other is not, but bird and bear show that it can be done. My grandson and I also talked about music and sounds in nature. We went outside to see if we could hear anything, but there were no birds singing that day. We heard the branches hitting one another, the wind blowing and some cars going by and talked about how that is music too. A sweet story with some cute illustrations. Anytime a book gets them interested in something it is a winner in my eyes.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review: Bear and Bird plan to try out as a duet. In the end, Bear doesn't get a part, but Bird does. Bear must learn how to be disappointed and support his friend Bird.

A sweet story about a bear who meets a bird and learns a new skill. The bird is practicing for the opera and with the help of bear prepares for a duet. There are music terms shared throughout the story that gives gentle learning. The illustrations were beautiful to go along with the story. I also loved the ending but won't spoil it! Thank you to NetGalley and Owlkids Books for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

When Bear meets Bird, he discovers he has an interest in singing, though he needs much more practice than his new pal, particularly if he's going to try out for the opera. This is a sweet, beautifully illustrated tale of friendship, and supporting one another.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Owlkids. All opinions are my own.

This picture book is delightful! I love the illustrations and message of friendship is right on pitch. I think it's great that bear doesn't get everything he wants. Such a good lesson!

Young kids will love reading this book again and again.

I highly recommend this book!

Happy reading!

Love is in the Bear is a sweet and whimsical book with a sly sense of humor thrown in. A bear meets a bird when he follows her song. She is practicing for an audition. The bird wants to sing a duet in the opera. The bear becomes her practice partner as together they prepare to audition. Together every day, the two become close friends. But what happens when only one of them is chosen for the opera. Lovely illustrations and prose throughout make this book by Judith Henderson something special.

I received an electronic ARC from Owlkids Books through NetGalley.
Readers see Bear wake up from his winter nap and hurry to find Bird. He listens to her sing and their friendship develops. Bird is practicing to audition for a duet in an opera. Bear wants to sing with her. Together, they practice and perform for their friends. Bird is cast; Bear is not. However, Bird reminds Bear that they can always sing together. By the end, winter has arrived again and Bird watches over Bear as he sleeps. A lovely story about friendship and learning to honor each other.
The soft focus illustrations add to the overall light feel of this story.

Beautiful illustrations support a friendship filled with music. Two unlikely friends work together to achieve a common goal. Even when disappointment comes, the friendship is strengthened with support for each other. Great for storytimes and music classrooms.

Love is in the Bear is a gorgeously illustrated book about trying new things, failing and overcoming disappointment. It's about friendship that values support over jealousy. Bear and bird practice together in preparation for opera auditions. When bird gets a part but bear doesn't, their friendship remains strong.

Bear wakes in spring and is quickly entranced by the lovely song of a chickadee. The two strike up a friendship and when bear learns that his companion is auditioning for the opera he begins to practice as well. As so often happens in real life (though less so in children's literature) only one of the friends gets cast in the production. After allowing some time for grief, one friend goes to the concert as a singer and the other as an audience member. The message is important and the story is beautifully told. Huge applause to the Iranian-Canadian illustrator Nahid Kazemi for her delicate, color-washed forest scenes.

This book was just spot on. The imagery throughout was relatable to the text and the friendship among Bird and Bear was the sweetest. You could tell Bear was disappointed when he couldn't join the opera, but Bird made him feel right at home by extending an invite to watch her in it.

This was a cute and quick read about friendship and supporting others, even when things don't go your way. This book would be a great conversation starter to get kids thinking about what they would do and how they would feel in this situation. Beautiful graphics, simple language, and a story that all ages can enjoy.

This book sends a good message to younger children. In this story a bear and a bird become good friends and singing buddies. They both audition for the opera, but only bird is selected to join. I think that this story is relatable to a lot of children who may not make the cut for a choir, band or sports team and leaves them feeling left out and as though they can no longer enjoy their music or sport with their friend. This book shows them that even though they may not be selected like bear, that they can still enjoy practicing their hobby with their friend.

Thank you to Owlkids Books, Owlkids and NetGalley or providing me with a free electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The soft illustrations and well-chosen color palette are very appealing, and the story is sweet. Bird and Bear like to sing together, but when they both audition, only one of them makes it. The story shows how friends can support each other through situations like this, ending with the reassuring message that they're still a duet.

Love is in the Bear is about an unlikely duo who form a strong friendship with their love of music. A beautifully illustrated book that will evoke an array of feel-good emotions. Bird and Bear give each other the strength they need to be who they were meant to be. As Bear goes into hibernation for the winter, Bird promises to be by his side. A charming tale about the bonds of friendship.

My child loves their bear so this was a hit with my child. I thought that the book was age appropriate for children that are toddler age (2-5ish).

THIS WAS SO SWEET. I loved that it taught about hibernation AND opera AND friendship AND working together AND knowing that even when things don’t work out the way you necessarily want them to, there’s still a bright side.

I loved this so, so much.

Flowers are sprouting, trees are budding. Spring has sprung in the forest. Bear emerges from his hollow and is on his way to greet his forest friends when he is beautiful singing. Bird is practicing for tryouts for the opera. Bear and Bird become quick friends when Bear wants to try out also. Friendship and loyalty is what surrounds Bear and Bird when Bear doesn't get picked for the Opera. This makes a great teaching book for teachers to use at reading time in school and to get children interacting with questions during and after the book is finished. Thank you NetGalley, Owlkids Books, and Judith Henderson for the ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and is my own opinion.
#netgalley, #loveisinthebear, #owlkidsbooks, #friendship, #loyalty

This was a super cute book. I love that it incorporated the idea of opera. I enjoy exposing children to different types of music and I could see this book being a great way to make that connection.

This was a very cute story. The illustrations are rough but charming with lots of little hidden details for children to find. The springtime story flits between a bear and a chickadee who form an unusual friendship over music. There are lessons to be learned and discussed throughout the book.