I Am Friendly

March 15, 2024
A bear's seemingly terrifying actions aren't quite what they appear. "Don't look at me and think that I'm ferocious," a large, lumpy grizzly implores readers. "I am not. I am friendly. I've been thoughtful my whole life." Kind eyes and a tentative raised paw seal the deal. But it's tough to be seen as considerate when you're so imposing. Noticing a yellow-bellied marmot who's running low on snacks, the bear lumbers forward, arms raised, to alert the marmot to the best spot for grass. Of course, the marmot immediately runs in the other direction, and the bear has to give chase. And when a rabbit is about to leap into its burrow, the bear plucks it from midair: "Careful, rabbit. You don't want to fall into that deep hole." (Yes, that is exactly what it wants to do!) Oblivious to the bunny's terror, our ursine hero scoops it up and promises to find it a carrot. The fundamental disconnect between the well-meaning bear and the frightened wildlife will keep readers giggling. With guidance from adults, this one may spark discussions of motivation, intent, and self-perception vs. reality. Kraan relies on cheery greens and yellows to bring to life the woodland meadow, while the animals are cartoonish, with hilariously over-the-top reactions. Perfectly silly. (Picture book. 4-7)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 6, 2024
Chaos ensues when an overzealous bear self-appoints as forest helper in Tracy and Kraan’s comic story. Clarifying that “I am friendly. I’ve been thoughtful my whole life,” the oblivious ursine protagonist works to help a fawn find its mother, to supply a yellow-bellied marmot some snacks, and to save what it perceives as a “stuck baby mountain goat,” among other
gestures. Predictably, the figure’s self-judged friendliness proves terrifying to its recipients, resulting in varied degrees
of helpfulness and humor. Spotting the marmot, Bear chases the frightened critter to a meadow with “much better grass,” and an attempt to assist a badger leaves the animal dripping
in honey and swarmed by bees. When Bear beds down at day’s end, a final inviting act of kindness at last achieves only its sweet intentions. Fine lines provide a scratchy texture to the spreads and especially to Bear, whose cheerful disposition is echoed with sunny undertones. Ages 3–6.

July 1, 2024
Tracy and Kraan provide humorous (faux) insight into the thoughts of one of nature's more formidable creatures: the brown bear. Our protagonist begins the story's narration with reassurances that, rather than being ferocious, "I am friendly. I've been thoughtful my whole life." But despite good intentions, the bear's repeated attempts to assist other forest creatures just cause chaos, often because the other animals are terrified at the bear's intimidating presence. Disorder also results from the bear's strength; for instance, vigorously scratching one's back on a signpost can rearrange the signs and prevent future travelers from reaching their destinations. Even more amusingly, the protagonist is completely oblivious to all the tumult (or, in the case of the signpost, "fixes" it in a way that doesn't help). Cartoonish illustrations enhance the plot and humor using varied compositions, from full-bleed spreads to sequential vignettes and panels. At the book's end, the bear, tuckered out from a long day of helping others, addresses readers directly with a "bear hug" -- which looks scary, but readers and listeners can draw their own conclusions. Joanna Buoniconti

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2024
Tracy and Kraan provide humorous (faux) insight into the thoughts of one of nature's more formidable creatures: the brown bear. Our protagonist begins the story's narration with reassurances that, rather than being ferocious, "I am friendly. I've been thoughtful my whole life." But despite good intentions, the bear's repeated attempts to assist other forest creatures just cause chaos, often because the other animals are terrified at the bear's intimidating presence. Disorder also results from the bear's strength; for instance, vigorously scratching one's back on a signpost can rearrange the signs and prevent future travelers from reaching their destinations. Even more amusingly, the protagonist is completely oblivious to all the tumult (or, in the case of the signpost, "fixes" it in a way that doesn't help). Cartoonish illustrations enhance the plot and humor using varied compositions, from full-bleed spreads to sequential vignettes and panels. At the book's end, the bear, tuckered out from a long day of helping others, addresses readers directly with a "bear hug" -- which looks scary, but readers and listeners can draw their own conclusions.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)