Sneeze, Big Bear, Sneeze!

August 15, 2011
It’s Bear versus the wind in this autumnal story. When Bear sneezes, he mistakenly believes that he is responsible for blowing the leaves off a tree. “Bear, can’t you see?/ The leaves flew down because of me,” says the billowing wind, whose gusts suggest an opera singer belting out a solo. “Wind, it wasn’t you,” Bear later insists, “the geese flew away when I sneezed/ Achoo!” Hillenbrand’s sweeping mixed-media spreads should stir up anticipation for apple-picking season, though the angry, tempestuous wind has the potential to frighten some younger readers. Ages 4–8.

September 1, 2011

PreS-K-Bumbling Big Bear is back in another misadventure. In this autumn-themed installment, he believes that his sneezes are causing leaves and apples to drop from trees and geese to migrate. The wind tries to convince him otherwise, as she knows she is the real source of these events. Finally, with a "deep breath" and a "whirling, twirling mighty shout," Autumn Breeze shows Big Bear her powers. The large, mixed-media illustrations are lively and appealing, and readers will find humor in the scene in which Big Bear is trying to tack all of the fallen leaves back onto branches. This title will appeal to young children, especially where Big Bear has a fan base.-Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.