This touching sequel to Jane Chapman’s Good-bye, Bear offers a sweet tale of friendship and valuing each other’s needs. Perfect for any young child who likes to spend time alone.
In this sequel to Jane Chapman’s Good-bye, Bear, friends Mole and Beaver sit together in their tree house, gazing at the stars and reflecting on the happy memories they have of their good friend Bear. Soon, their friends arrive at the tree house and want to come in, too, drawn there by the cozy glow of the lanterns in the tree house. This continues night after night, until there are so many visitors that Mole feels like there is no space for her anymore. Can her friends find a way to give her the space and quiet time she needs, and still spend time together in their tree house? A touching story that explores the value of finding solace in solitude.
Readers of Chapman’s Good-bye, Bear (2022), in which Bear’s friends learn to grieve his death, should be delighted by this return to the forest, though new readers may be confused by the fact that Bear is mentioned sometimes—but not his death. The story starts with Mole and Beaver lighting candles in a treehouse (as, we’re told, Bear used to) and gazing out the window at the constellation Ursa Major. Friends Rabbit and Bunny come for a visit and to tell stories. The next night, Squirrel and Mouse come over and play music. Each night, more friends come over. We see Mole shrinking into his pillows, looking more and more uncomfortable. Finally, Mole’s friends build him a little rowboat, and he paddles out to the middle of the lake, reveling in the quiet. Watercolor illustrations suffuse the scenes with a glow and lend a Beatrix Potter–like look to the animals. A nice look at one little introvert’s solution to too much stimulation. --Booklist
Jane Chapman has been writing and illustrating picture books for more than 20 years and has produced many best-selling and award-winning titles. She and illustrator Tim Warnes have two sons. Jane lives in Dorset, England.
View titles by Jane Chapman
This touching sequel to Jane Chapman’s Good-bye, Bear offers a sweet tale of friendship and valuing each other’s needs. Perfect for any young child who likes to spend time alone.
In this sequel to Jane Chapman’s Good-bye, Bear, friends Mole and Beaver sit together in their tree house, gazing at the stars and reflecting on the happy memories they have of their good friend Bear. Soon, their friends arrive at the tree house and want to come in, too, drawn there by the cozy glow of the lanterns in the tree house. This continues night after night, until there are so many visitors that Mole feels like there is no space for her anymore. Can her friends find a way to give her the space and quiet time she needs, and still spend time together in their tree house? A touching story that explores the value of finding solace in solitude.
Reviews
Readers of Chapman’s Good-bye, Bear (2022), in which Bear’s friends learn to grieve his death, should be delighted by this return to the forest, though new readers may be confused by the fact that Bear is mentioned sometimes—but not his death. The story starts with Mole and Beaver lighting candles in a treehouse (as, we’re told, Bear used to) and gazing out the window at the constellation Ursa Major. Friends Rabbit and Bunny come for a visit and to tell stories. The next night, Squirrel and Mouse come over and play music. Each night, more friends come over. We see Mole shrinking into his pillows, looking more and more uncomfortable. Finally, Mole’s friends build him a little rowboat, and he paddles out to the middle of the lake, reveling in the quiet. Watercolor illustrations suffuse the scenes with a glow and lend a Beatrix Potter–like look to the animals. A nice look at one little introvert’s solution to too much stimulation. --Booklist
Author
Jane Chapman has been writing and illustrating picture books for more than 20 years and has produced many best-selling and award-winning titles. She and illustrator Tim Warnes have two sons. Jane lives in Dorset, England.
View titles by Jane Chapman
