Bear and Bird: The Adventure and Other Stories
by Jarvis; illus. by the author
Primary    Candlewick    64 pp.
9/24    9781536235449    $15.99
Paper ed.  9781536235456    $5.99
e-book ed.  9781536240566    $5.99

In the latest installment of this enjoyable early chapter book series (Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories, rev. 5/23), an average Tuesday takes a few minor twists and turns for the titular best friends. In “The Nothing”—the first of four brief, episodic chapters—Bear visits Bird for their weekly cloud-watching expedition. Bird is under the weather; Bear outdoes himself trying to comfort her but finally lets her voice her own desire to rest, and the two share cozy, quiet moments doing nothing. Rejuvenated, Bird rallies for the remaining three stories, in which the duo faces additional low-stakes conflicts while traveling about their forested neighborhood. As usual, they watch their good intentions land slightly off-target; memorably, while attempting to fend off a rival best friend, Bird performs an original, unintentionally offensive song entitled “Oh, What a Smelly Bear.” Jarvis approaches these misunderstandings with gentle humor; his resolutions never feel condescending or prescriptive. The loose-lined, textured, and occasionally fanciful art also helps maintain a playful tone. Bear and Bird’s everyday exploits—and their canny, child’s-eye perspective on conflict resolution—continue to be witty, tender, and surprising.

From the March/April 2025 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.