I Am Bear by Ben Bailey Smith- ADVISABLE

I Am Bear by Ben Bailey Smith, illustrated by Sav Akyuz. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2016. $16. 9780763677435

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K. EL (K-3)- ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

“I am Bear. And I am bare. The suit I wear has purple hair.” Rapper and author Ben Baily Smith has written an extremely creative story about a bear who is a bit naughty and mischievous but loving and sweet at the same time.  Illustrator Sav Akyuz does an amazing job illustrating this lyrical book with colorful, bright illustrations.  The words and pictures together will keep children asking again and again for parents to read it just one more time! 

Beware: Bear is a bit naughty and shows his behind, eats a squirrel and paints a target on the hind leg of a female bear. (Who ultimately gets pegged by a policeman’s toilet plunger arrow).  If this isn’t your type of fun, this book isn’t for you.  If you are up for a great laugh, this book will be enjoyed over and over by parents and children alike.

Reviewer: SL