The Barnes & Noble Review
The duo behind the smash hit Bear Snores On teams up for more animal merriment in this wonderfully woodsy picture book about Bear's giant-sized appetite.
When (a now skinny) Bear wakes from his wintertime slumber, he ventures into the forest to find good eats. With the help of a few critter friends, he locates sweet berries, fresh clover, and delicious fish, but of course it's not enough for a hungry bruin! Fortunately, Gopher, Mole, and some other pals are getting together a surprise "springtime party for their good friend," but Bear's eaten so much already, he gets stuck in the cave door. After much finagling, the gang finally pries him out, and of course that means it's time for more party treats -- and a full-bellied snooze afterward.
With the warmth and playful humor found in their previous collaboration, Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman deliver a bear-sized winner. Wilson's fluid rhymes will make any storytime fresher and livelier, while Chapman's smiling animals and kid-friendly antics have the gentle vibrancy of springtime. A book about giving friendships and good times that'll have kids' bellies growling for more!
Matt Warner
Publishers Weekly
Several books follow the footsteps of earlier titles. The ursine hero from the best-selling Bear Snores On emerges from hibernation in Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson, illus. by Jane Chapman. The "more" he wants is food, of course: "When springtime comes,/ in his warm winter den/ a bear wakes up/ very hungry and thin!" His friends are happy to indulge him, but when he heads home, stuffed, he's in for a surprise.
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2-In this appealing follow-up to Bear Snores On (S & S, 2002), it is spring, Bear is awake, and he is hungry. Several of his animal friends take him to places where he can get food, "But the bear wants more!" Finally, he heads home, where others have organized a party for him, but he has eaten so much that he gets stuck in his own doorway. After being pried out, he eats more and falls asleep, but now "his friends want more!" The rollicking, rhyming text flows smoothly, and the repeated refrain will have youngsters chiming right in. The acrylic illustrations are brightly colored, and the creatures, although they are sweetly appealing and use tools, look distinctly like wild animals; the details are wonderful. The layout alternates between full-bleed spreads and single-page pictures, some of which are also full bleed, while others are in a circle. This format works well to move the story along, and encourages page turns. This simple, gentle story, with its short text, large graphics, and reference to hibernation, will work well in storytimes for young preschoolers, and will fill teachers' demands for seasonal tales.-Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Bear’s ravenous appetite is the focus of this rollicking follow-up to Wilson’s Bear Snores On (2001). Upon awakening from his winter siesta, Bear is beset by a voracious hunger. Although his woodland friends attempt to assuage the bruin’s cravings, Mouse’s offering of berries, Hare’s clover, and Badger’s catch of the day do little to quiet the grumbling of the behemoth’s belly. While Bear is out foraging, the rest of his friends prepare a feast fit for a famished friend of epic proportions. Wilson’s cheerfully irreverent tale pays homage to another hungry bear, known for his penchant for honey, in a tongue-in-cheek scene where the formerly svelte Bear can no longer fit through his den’s opening to reach the tantalizing meal inside. Satiated at last by his friend’s bountiful springtime picnic, the satisfied Bear soon drifts off to sleep. Wilson’s use of the repetitive refrain "Bear wants more" teases readers’ appetites for more—of the story—neatly building the anticipation for the tale’s surprise ending. The sing-song rhythm of the rhyming couplets lends sprightliness to the ebullient tale. Chapman’s acrylic paintings sparkle with the freshness of the vernal season; vibrant, varying shades of greens drench the pages in a riot of blossoming hues. Bear is rendered as appealing as ever; this lovable lump of soft brown fur is as cozy and comforting as a well-loved teddy. Fans will enjoy the fun of revisiting with this convivial pack of forest friends. (Picture book. 3-7)
APR/MAY 07 - AudioFile
Ravenous is the word to describe Bear as he awakes from his winter hibernation. Neither the strawberries nor the clover can satiate his appetite. By the time Bear arrives back at his den for a wake-up surprise party, he has a bit of difficulty attending the event. (Think of Pooh at Rabbit’s house.) Karma Wilson brings personality to her characters in just the way she conceived them. The squeaks of pleasure, the roars of frustration, and the eager anticipation of pleasing a friend are genuine and contagious. She paces herself so that both the story and illustrations can be enjoyed. Springtime music completes the recording. Young listeners will want MORE themselves. A.R. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine
