When Bear visits a duck family one spring, they have so much fun together he decides to stay. But the ducks’ home is too small for Bear, and his ideal space is far too gloomy (and roomy) for the ducks. Can a compromise be struck? The smart money’s on finding Room for Bear.
Ciara Gavin’s watercolor and pencil illustrations expand on simple text to poignant and humorous effect. “What suited Bear didn’t suit the ducks,” as Bear kicks back and smiles while the ducks fret alongside him, two sitting in a bowl of water, the smallest playing with a classic yellow rubber duckie. When Bear tries to join the ducks on their turf, a step onto their small boat sends the same tiny duckling flying out of his mother’s arms—but not to worry, he’s wearing a little red life vest. A scene where Bear reminisces about the fun they have together shows them all reading and enjoying cups of tea, a copy of Eat Quack Love on the table beside them.
Bear finally solves this dilemma through the application of some grade-A carpentry skills, but you won’t need a stud-finder to take away the lesson that a family who looks different can still love each other and make a home together. Room for Bear is a sweet debut with an important message at its heart.
