The Best Kind of Bear

Bear is on a quest to discover exactly what kind of bear he is. Beginning at the library, a truly excellent place for learning, he sets out on a great adventure to learn about himself, visiting the four corners of the earth (or at least traveling in the four cardinal directions) to meet the bears who live there. In the style of Are You My Mother? books, Bear learns that while he has something in common with each bear respectively, he is also unique in ways that teach him emphatically that he is not a grizzly, polar, spectacled, or sun bear. Returning to the library, Bear finally realizes, with the help of his sweet friend Nelly, exactly who he is: the perfect stuffed bear to be a friend for a little child. The story itself is on the longer side, but other than one unfortunate placement of black text on a too-dark background that hinders legibility, the text placement is perfectly executed such that no single page feels too long. The mixed media illustrations—full of friendly bears, jewel tones, and gorgeous textures and details—bring the delightful storyline to life in a burst of color and personality that seamlessly combines realism and whimsy. While the library itself is not mentioned in the text, it’s clever inclusion adds a level of earnestness to Bear’s quest and hints to children where they can begin their own search for knowledge.