The Bear in My Family by Maya Tatsukawa - ADVISABLE

The Bear in My Family by Maya Tatsukawa. PICTURE BOOK. Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House), 2020. $18. 9780525555827

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A boy explains that he lives with a bear. He shows us the door behind which the bear lives, so the reader begins to suspect that the bear is going to be a person. We learn that the bear is grouchy but can also be protective and helpful sometimes. In the end, we learn it is the narrator's big sister. 

The illustrations in this sibling story are minimalistic and cute. A lot of siblings will love the comparison of an older sibling to a bear and also see themselves in the bear role. This book is not showy but it lands very well.   

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher