Bear Outside
Written by distinguished author Jane Yolen and illustrated by award-winning illustrator Jen Corace
“Some folks have a lion inside, or a tiger. Not me. I wear my bear on the outside. It’s like wearing a suit of armor,” begins the narrator of Bear Outside.
The narrator of our story is a plucky little girl. With the help of her bear.
They go everywhere and do everything together … They saunter past bullies, they go to school and raise their hand in class and they ride their bike all the way to the stop sign. And while they might not agree on everything (like what’s the best paint color), there is one thing they wholeheartedly agree on: “I take care of Bear, and Bear takes care of me.”
A beautiful look into the relationship people have with their inner strength and a wonderful conversation starter about confidence and self-assurance.
I Want to Ride the Tap Tap
By Danielle Joseph, illustrated by Olivier Ganthier
Claude and his mother walk Claude’s father to the tap tap stop on Monday so he can ride the tap tap to work. They meet a lady selling mangoes. She is also boarding the tap tap.
The next day the family walks to the tap tap, they meet a fisherman. Each day Claude wants to ride the tap tap, but each day he has school to attend and chores to do.
Claude is surprised when the end of the week arrives and the whole family boards the tap tap to go to the beach!
This vibrantly illustrated look into the life of a Black Haitian family will have children wanting to ride the tap tap themselves! Tap taps are brightly decorated vehicles that are privately owned. No two tap taps are alike!
Dozens of Doughnuts
Picture book debut by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Brianne Farley
“Early one morning, as autumn leaves scatter, LouAnn’s busy (a big, black bear) stirring a big bowl of batter. She’ll eat some sweet treats, then, warm and well-fed, she’ll sleep away winter, tucked tight in her bed.”
At least that’s what LouAnn thinks is going to happen! As she pulls a pan of fresh, hot doughnuts from the over, her doorbell rings. It’s her friend Woodrow, who is hungry.
Of course, LouAnn is willing to share her doughnuts, but when they are about to eat … the doorbell rings again. Another friend! This time it’s Clyde.
And so it continues. LouAnn’s generous nature wins out until her doughnut batter is all gone, and there are no doughnuts left for her! Finally, her friends come to her rescue in this cute book about friendship and sharing.
Sandy Foster lives in Grain Valley and is a Bookstagrammer (@picturebookapotamus), freelance writer and mother of two. You can find children's book reviews and resources at HappyBeingMom.com.