Mr. Bear's Vacation - Hardcover

DEBI GLIORI has illustrated many beloved picture books, including Joyce Dunbar's Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go to Sleep and Tell Me What It's Like to Be Big, along with her own No Matter What and Penguin Post. She lives near Edinburgh, Scotland.

Gathering up his wife and offspring, Glioris (Mr. Bears New Baby, 1999, etc.) beleaguered, but affable, Mr. Bear embarks upon an anything-but-restful vacation. With toddler Small Bear and Baby Bear in tow, the family sets out on an overnight campout, but not before elaborate preparations have been made. Their vacation is wrought with adventure of the domestic sort. Veteran vacationers will grin at Glioris impish but accurate depiction of traveling en famille; the frequent diaper changes, the endless refrain of Are we there yet?, the inevitable mishapsa moth-eaten tent, an unexpected dip in temperature, etc. As always, Gliori imparts liberal doses of humor into her tale: the image of the Bear family huddling together as a curious cow investigates their tent is hilarious. Yet the Bears face their troubles with equanimity, managing to extract some enjoyment from their trip despite their mishaps. Gliori, adept at imbuing the Bear family with a myriad of minute but imminently human characteristics, aptly conveys the topsy-turvy, warmly loving chaos that is family life. Her winsome illustrations, fondly portraying the lovable Bears and brimming with toddler-entrancing details, are the perfect accompaniment to the tale. (Picture book. 3-6)-- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.