Bear and Bee Too Busy

January 13, 2014
In this sequel to 2013’s Bear and Bee, the two friends find themselves at odds. During the day, Bee is too busy to roll down hills, climb trees, or splash in the pond with Bear, and at night, Bear is “too busy sleeping to look at the moon” with Bee. They decide to meet in the middle, luxuriating in the moonlight from the comfort of the pond, though even this solution seems to favor persnickety Bee, since Bear is forced to pull an all-nighter. But while Bee and Bear’s friendship feels lopsided, Bear’s loyalty and ability to enjoy simple pleasures shine through in Ruzzier’s sympathetic illustrations of this duo’s ups and downs. Ages 3–5. Agent: George Nicholson, Sterling Lord Literistic.

December 24, 2012
Bear has never seen a bee, but he doesn’t like them and has no doubt they don’t play well with others. “Bees are terrible monsters!” Bear says. “They are big, and they have large teeth, and they have sharp claws, and they never share their honey!” Luckily, Bee, who is standing right in front of Bear as he unfurls this lurid fantasy, seizes this as a teachable moment, and points out that Bear actually has many of the qualities that he ascribes to bees. After some momentary confusion (“Poor me! I’m a Bee!” wails Bear, flinging himself to the ground in despair), the two become honey-sharing buddies. Ruzzier’s (Tweak Tweak) cartooned pen-and-ink drawings are a bit underwhelming; the relatively minimal backgrounds only emphasize the weak characterizations (the characters’ facial expressions are tepid, and putting Bee in high top sneakers is no substitute for giving him a personality). But Ruzzier has a solid sense of comic timing and proffers his lesson on the folly of prejudice with an admirably light touch. Ages 2–5. Agent: George Nicholson, Sterling Lord Literistic.

February 1, 2014
Bear and Bee learn that things aren't very much fun without a friend to share them with. In their second outing (Bear and Bee, 2013), Bear and Bee's new friendship is tested as Bear tries to entice Bee into doing his favorite things with him, while Bee is busy with chores. Despite such diversions as rolling down the hill, climbing a tree and splashing in the pond, Bee's chores (watering plants, cooking, sweeping) take precedence over spending time with Bear, a situation sure to be familiar to children who have similarly busy parents. Bears sums it up neatly when he remarks, "Oh Bee....Having fun is not as fun without you." Repetitive refrains will get listeners participating and help new readers build confidence: "Come and....You will love it!... // "No thank you....I'm too busy to...." The shoe is on the other foot after Bear falls asleep and Bee wants to gaze at the moon with him. Unsurprisingly, Bear's too busy. But Bee's clever compromise is a happy resolution for both friends. Throughout, the simple illustrations captivate (and sometimes stun) with their Seuss-ian colors. Though a tad didactic and not as sweet as the first, Ruzzier's second in the Bear and Bee series offers young readers an important lesson that goes down easy. What will be next for the two friends? (Picture book. 3-5)

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February 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 2-Due to household chores, Bee politely declines Bear's invitations to roll down a hill, climb trees, and splash in the pond. When a discouraged Bear finally sleeps, Bee begs him to get up and gaze at the moon. A compromise is forged as the friends watch the moon from the pond. Early readers will appreciate the quick resolution. Flat illustrations with spare backgrounds focus on personalities. Bear wears only red sandals, and Bee sports mislaced sneakers. Bee's arms efficiently saute, spoon, and season a meal. This easy-reading glimpse of making friendship work is sure to have a wide audience.-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2014
Preschool-G A fuzzy bear and a buzzy bee cemented their friendship in Bear and Bee (2013)and now they have got to make their relationship a priority. On the opening spread, Bear gleefully rolls down a lush green hill ( Wheeeeee! ) and then invites Bee to join him: Come and roll down the hill with me. You will love it! But Bee is too busy watering flowers for such frivolity. Then Bear swings from a tree and splashes in a pond, but Bee is always too busy to play. (Bear's facial expressions upon being rejected are priceless.) Eventually, Bear goes to sleep, the moon comes out, and now Bee wants to moon gaze with Bear. But Bear is content snoozing. The trick is to come up with an activity that they both enjoy, and while reclining in the pond and admiring the moon, the two friends find shared happiness. The text includes fun words like whoopee and hoorayand repeats sweet phraseswhich, along with Ruzzier's bold graphic art, makes this picture book a delightful choice for friendship-themed storytimes.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2014
In their second offering, while Bee completes his chores, Bear frolics about, eagerly and enthusiastically calling for his friend to join him. At day's end, Bee is ready to enjoy the moonlight with Bear, but Bear's cozy cave calls; the friends concoct a simple, happy solution. Ruzzier's digitally colored pen-and-ink illustrations infuse Bee and Bear's conundrum with warmth and affection.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)