Bear Wants More

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. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

Wilson's "bear" books are simple, following a rhyme and a pattern that beg readers to join in, and John McDonough's narration certainly promotes that. Hearing his bass voice and gruff demeanor, the listener can almost see a big, often cuddly but currently unhappy bear. He's hungry, and he wants more! As his friends lead him to different sources of food, bear eats and eats and eats, until, finally, bear is full. Only now his friends are hungry. McDonough narrates at just the right pace--steady and consistent--allowing the reader to follow the words. Although the illustrations add to the overall effect, McDonough brings the story to life even without them. W.L.S. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine