A Story for Small Bear by Alice B. McGinty and Richard Jones (Review)

Title: A Story for Small Bear
Author: Alice B. McGinty
Illustrator: Richard Jones
Type: Fiction
Genre: Children’s, Picture Book
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade Books
(Penguin Random House)
Date published: October 13, 2020

A physical copy of this book was kindly provided by Blue Slip Media in exchange for an honest review.

In this sweet, lyrical picture book, perfect for bedtime, a playful cub prepares for hibernation, saving just enough time for Mama to share a story before they must settle down.

Autumn is ending and a chilly breeze is drifting in, which can mean only one thing– it’s time to hibernate over the long winter. But before Small Bear does, she’d like for Mama to tell her some stories. Mama agrees, with one condition: all the preparation must get done– no dilly, no dally. So Small Bear tries to be good, venturing off to find sprigs for her winter bed, splishing and splashing in the stream, and climbing up, up, up into the tall forest trees in search of acorns. When she finally returns home, Small Bear snuggles down with Mama in their den. Did she make it back in time? “You did,” Mama answers, and pulls her in close. And then Mama tells the most wonderful tale of a little bear–just like Small Bear–who, while enjoying the world around her, saved just enough time for stories.

⤖ My Review ⬻

A Story for Small Bear by Alice B. McGinty and Richard Jones was very cute, and I could see it being entertaining for a young child if the parent or guardian would read it as a bedtime story. I enjoyed it as an adult reader as well! It’s also informative about how bears get ready for hibernation in the fall in preparation for the winter months.

I liked the artist’s style as well. The colours used, as well as the technique and overall outcome of the art in the pages of A Story for Small Bear very soothing to look at (another point for it making a good bedtime story because it doesn’t depict a lot of action and doesn’t use exciting or bright colours). All in all, I found this book to be very sweet!