Bob Is the Biggest, Strongest, and Smartest

4.5

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Author(s)

Jean Reidy

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Amy Jindra Hodgson

Publisher

Rocky Pond Books

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

February 24, 2026

ISBN

978-0593858943

Buy This Book

A boastful bear learns how to be a good listener and friend in this endearing, funny picture book by the author of Truman.

Everyone knows that Bob is the biggest, strongest, and smartest bear in the world . . . because he tells them so, over and over again. No one can question him because Bob does all the talking. That is, until the day Bill comes along. Bill isn’t big or strong, but he asks lots of questions of the creatures around him. He’s interested in everyone, and soon, all the animals are so busy getting to know one another, they stop noticing poor Bob. Until—Bill does! But is Bob finally ready to have a real conversation, one that includes both talking and listening?

Editor review

1 review

We all have friends like Bob!

March 10, 2026 (Updated: June 04, 2026)

Overall rating

4.5

Plot

4.0

Characters

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

4.0

Bob is an enormous bear with an enormous ego, and he is forever telling anyone who will listen how big, strong, and smart he is. The other creatures in the forest are clearly not as impressed as Bob wishes them to be, and are more annoyed by him than frightened of him. When a newcomer, Bill the badger, arrives, Bob doesn't understand why Bill is talking to others, asking them insightful questions and listening carefully to their answers. Bill wasn't big, strong, or smart, and Bob tells the others so. Why do they seem to like this new resident more than they like him? The mood in the forest improves for everyone but Bob, who asks "Who is the biggest, strongest, and smartest bear in the whole wide world?" but is ignored. Bill, of course, uses this as an opportunity to greet Bob by name, and ask him questions about his training program. Flattered by Bill's attention, Bob's mood improves, and he asks Bill about his own training regimen. Before long, Bob is able to talk TO the other creatures in the forest instead of AT them, and even does Tai Chi with Bill.

Good Points

This was a very amusing yet helpful book about how to get along with others, and it delivers valuable lessons about personal interactions in a fun way. Bob's facial expressions are a hoot, and we all know someone like Bob who is more than happy to spout off all of his accomplishments and expect us to listen and tell him how great he is. Bill is a great example of how people should behave, and is an excellent listener. He gets to know people by observing them and asking questions about things that matter. He waits for answers, and builds conversations by delving for more details.

The color palette is very bright, with Bob's blue fur dominating the page. Bill is a more quiet light purple, and there's plenty of green in the woodland background. The anthropomorphized animals wear a variety of clothing, mainly shirts, hats, and accessories, and of course the fox is friends with the rabbits and the owl doesn't eat the mice! The faces are very human looking, and show lots of emotion. The first spread with Bob bloviating about himself has a delightful array of annoyed looks!

My only objection to the book is that I was going to give it to a friend named Bob, but it's not particularly flattering. The names are actually brilliant, since I haven't had a student named Bill or Bob in twenty years!

Readers who need a little help making friends will find this to be a useful book along with similar titles like Border's Peanut Butter and Cupcake, Fleck's Tilly and Tank, Gehl and Patten's Attack Bunnies, an Dyckman and Yaccarino's Boy and Bot.