The Grizzly Bear Who Lost His Grrrrr!

Reviewed by: Melissa Madigan MB - Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 3, 2017

Review

This is a delightful story about a grizzly bear named Fred who, for "as long as the forest has stood," has won the annual bear contest in events such as fish-catching, hula-hooping, and, perhaps most significantly, "human-scaring" - all while wearing his signature sweatband, of course. Fred's "grrrrr" can scare the sandwich right out of a human's hand which, thanks to years of training, has earned him prizes and trophies, medals and plaques - but at a cost: it turns out that Fred doesn't have much time for friends, though he claims that he's perfectly fine without them. Then, one day, a new, turtleneck-clad bear moves to town. His name is Boris: he's fast, he's strong, and he's clever - and he's out for Fred's crown. Instead of trying to win honestly, though, he sneaks into Fred's cave in the middle of the night to steal his "GRRR!" Upon waking, Fred realizes that his prized growl has been swiped in the night, and he sets off alone to find it. He looks everywhere to no avail, until - one by one - the other animals of the forest begin to help in his search. Though the GRRR remains lost, Fred's new friends urge him to carry on in the competition, pledging their support and eventually helping him win. They also soon discover that Boris is the culprit when Fred's GRR! comes tumbling out from under his turtleneck. Admitting his guilt, Boris explains he really only did it because he's new in town and lonely, and that if he was a "winner," maybe he could earn a few friends. Fred ultimately forgives Boris, seeing a bear that isn't so different from himself - a bear who is, in a Grinch-like twist, "not totally bad." Fred, in turn, offers his paw as a gesture of friendship. There's a great message of honesty, friendship, and forgiveness woven through the lines of this rhyming book. Great illustrations, really fun in a story time setting. One of my favorites so far.

Overall Book Score: excellent