Brave Little Bear

BRAVE LITTLE BEAR is a sweet picture book about family and what it means to be brave. Arlo, his sister, and his mother are traveling from their cozy den to Spring Valley. Arlo has never been quite as brave as his sister, Eva, but his mother encourages him on their journey. As they climb the mountain, a storm sets in, and with Eva lost, Arlo will need to find his courage to locate her and get them safely across.

What I loved: This was a clever story about courage and what bravery really means. Although Arlo felt like he was not the brave one, he finds that he can dig into his courage when it really counts. In addition to showing bravery in the face of fear, the book also shows the powerful connection of family and siblings in particular. Even though siblings may not be alike, they can still love and care for each other fiercely.

The illustrations captured the emotions and characters well, showing the storm and their journey through small scenes. The text described each step of their journey as well as Arlo's thoughts and emotions along the way. This really pulls young readers into the story. The font was also clear and easy to read throughout, making it a good pick for bedtime or for reading aloud.

As a small note, this might be a little scary for sensitive children as the siblings are separated from their mother during the storm. However, they are following her footsteps to find their way, so it does not feel as though she is too far away.

Final verdict: BRAVE LITTLE BEAR is a sweet picture book story of courage and family that will appeal to preschool and older picture book readers.

The bear’s little nose on the cover sparked my interest in reading Brave Little Bear. Arlo the bear likes for things to stay the same and finds comfort in the familiar. His sister Eva is adventurous and fearless. Children are likely to relate to one of these little cubs well. During their course to Spring Valley, Arlo finds his bravery in rescuing his sister during a snowstorm. The strong bonds of family are felt as the cubs struggle to get back to their mother. You can feel the danger and fear they are going through making for a gripping page-turner. Overall, this was a sweet story about the strength of the family that will appeal to the Elementary reader.