Maudie and Bear
(Book)

*Starred Review* Though Bear is much bigger than little Maudie, the girl definitely has the upper hand in their relationship. In the first, and most amusing, of five vignettes introducing the duo, Maudie suggests a bike ride. But first she needs her sunglasses. Then a hat and scarf. And she can't forget the sunscreen and bug spray. Finally, Bear pedals with Maudie on the handlebars while she remarks, Exercise is good for you. In the second story, Maudie is comforted (ironically) by Bear after visiting the home of the three bears. In the third, Bear makes Maudie a lovely picnic, followed by the tale of a tiff in the fourth. Finally, Maudie has a story to tell but Bear keeps falling asleep. Here's what's wonderful about this book: Maudie, beautifully illustrated by Blackwood, is an utterly realistic Everychild whose concerns center around herself. Readers will know this girl who pushes the limits and expects the adult in her life to comfort, ease the way, and make things right. Bear, the unsung hero, never fails. What's also special is the evocative art, softly colored with almost indistinct lines, that places Maudie and Bear in an earlier era (save the sunscreen), with Maudie looking a bit like Christopher Robin. What's not so good is the way Maudie never acknowledges Bear's efforts. Yes, his stoicism and good nature are part of the point, but parent readers might wish for at least a small thank you. Perhaps they'll make it a teachable moment as their children pore over a book meant to be read more than once.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2010 Booklist

With her Mary Janes, hair bow, and wardrobe of vintage shifts and jumpers, Blackwood's (Harry & Hopper) supremely confident Maudie is a girl plucked from the pages of Kate Greenaway. As her best friend/parent surrogate, Bear weathers Maudie's diva behavior with stoic patience, unconditional love, and a willingness both to do Maudie's bidding and the resultant washing up. In fact, Bear's selflessness almost puts the Giving Tree to shame, and this affection gap nearly undermines the five short stories that make up this book about truly unconditional love. The one exception is a take on the Goldilocks story, which ends with the normally self-assured and self-centered Maudie comically discombobulated after fleeing the bears' house just in time. "Would you like some porridge?" the unflappable Bear asks. "I just want tea.... in my very own cup, sitting in my very own chair," Maudie cries, barring the door dramatically and bursting into tears. "And I don't want anybody else sitting in it!" Ormerod's (Molly and Her Dad) writing is a model of economy and comic understatement, and Maudie and Bear's interactions will be familiar to readers of all ages and temperaments. Ages 5-8. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

PreS-Gr 1-Five vignettes introduce readers to a spirited young girl and her best friend, Bear. In the first story, Maudie decides that she needs some exercise and suggests that she and Bear go for a bike ride. He waits patiently as she retrieves her sunglasses, hat, scarf, sunscreen, and bug spray. But in the final spread, it is Bear who is peddling up an enormous hill with Maudie riding in the bike's basket. In "The Snack," Maudie dictates very specific instructions to Bear about how to prepare her peanut butter sandwich, pancakes, yogurt, and fruit. While she picks dandelions, she even requests that the napkins be folded like swans. But, in the end, she exclaims, "everything looks perfect.far too good to eat!" In the final selection, the child grows frustrated with Bear as he keeps falling asleep while she is telling him a story. "I'm so sorry," he says. "Why don't we go for a walk to wake me up, and I can finish your story while we walk?" But of course, the final spread shows Maudie riding on Bear's shoulders, fast asleep. The charming, realistic pencil and watercolor illustrations reinforce the closeness between these two special pals and beautifully expand on the text. This sweet, cozy title will delight readers who enjoy endearing, imaginative stories of friendship.-Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(Picture book. 3-6)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

*Starred Review* Though Bear is much bigger than little Maudie, the girl definitely has the upper hand in their relationship. In the first, and most amusing, of five vignettes introducing the duo, Maudie suggests a bike ride. But first she needs her sunglasses. Then a hat and scarf. And she can't forget the sunscreen and bug spray. Finally, Bear pedals with Maudie on the handlebars while she remarks, "Exercise is good for you." In the second story, Maudie is comforted (ironically) by Bear after visiting the home of the three bears. In the third, Bear makes Maudie a lovely picnic, followed by the tale of a tiff in the fourth. Finally, Maudie has a story to tell but Bear keeps falling asleep. Here's what's wonderful about this book: Maudie, beautifully illustrated by Blackwood, is an utterly realistic Everychild whose concerns center around herself. Readers will know this girl who pushes the limits and expects the adult in her life to comfort, ease the way, and make things right. Bear, the unsung hero, never fails. What's also special is the evocative art, softly colored with almost indistinct lines, that places Maudie and Bear in an earlier era (save the sunscreen), with Maudie looking a bit like Christopher Robin. What's not so good is the way Maudie never acknowledges Bear's efforts. Yes, his stoicism and good nature are part of the point, but parent readers might wish for at least a small thank you. Perhaps they'll make it a teachable moment as their children pore over a book meant to be read more than once. Copyright 2012 Booklist Reviews.

With her Mary Janes, hair bow, and wardrobe of vintage shifts and jumpers, Blackwood's (Harry & Hopper) supremely confident Maudie is a girl plucked from the pages of Kate Greenaway. As her best friend/parent surrogate, Bear weathers Maudie's diva behavior with stoic patience, unconditional love, and a willingness both to do Maudie's bidding and the resultant washing up. In fact, Bear's selflessness almost puts the Giving Tree to shame, and this affection gap nearly undermines the five short stories that make up this book about truly unconditional love. The one exception is a take on the Goldilocks story, which ends with the normally self-assured and self-centered Maudie comically discombobulated after fleeing the bears' house just in time. "Would you like some porridge?" the unflappable Bear asks. "I just want tea.... in my very own cup, sitting in my very own chair," Maudie cries, barring the door dramatically and bursting into tears. "And I don't want anybody else sitting in it!" Ormerod's (Molly and Her Dad) writing is a model of economy and comic understatement, and Maudie and Bear's interactions will be familiar to readers of all ages and temperaments. Ages 5–8. (Jan.)

PreS-Gr 1—Five vignettes introduce readers to a spirited young girl and her best friend, Bear. In the first story, Maudie decides that she needs some exercise and suggests that she and Bear go for a bike ride. He waits patiently as she retrieves her sunglasses, hat, scarf, sunscreen, and bug spray. But in the final spread, it is Bear who is peddling up an enormous hill with Maudie riding in the bike's basket. In "The Snack," Maudie dictates very specific instructions to Bear about how to prepare her peanut butter sandwich, pancakes, yogurt, and fruit. While she picks dandelions, she even requests that the napkins be folded like swans. But, in the end, she exclaims, "everything looks perfect…far too good to eat!" In the final selection, the child grows frustrated with Bear as he keeps falling asleep while she is telling him a story. "I'm so sorry," he says. "Why don't we go for a walk to wake me up, and I can finish your story while we walk?" But of course, the final spread shows Maudie riding on Bear's shoulders, fast asleep. The charming, realistic pencil and watercolor illustrations reinforce the closeness between these two special pals and beautifully expand on the text. This sweet, cozy title will delight readers who enjoy endearing, imaginative stories of friendship.—Rachel Kamin, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL