Publishers Weekly
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A hungry little bear’s post-hibernation search for grub turns into a simple introduction to colors in Martin and Sampson’s genially narrated picture book, with mixed-media art from Beauvois. Awakening from a “long winter’s nap,” Little Bear, a wide-eyed brown fellow, “walks around the cave until he finds his mommy,” who sensibly advises that he venture outside for sustenance. The intrepid cub feasts on a veritable rainbow of berry varieties, each time exclaiming “Yummy, tum, tee!” Evidence of the multicolored snacking transforms the youth’s fur into technicolor brightness—a metamorphosis that reaches its pinnacle in a chromatic conclusion. Collage and swirled-paint textures accompany bold type, underlining simple text and concept instruction via a jolly walk in the woods. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

A young brown bear ends his hibernation in a most colorful fashion. Little Bear awakens from his winter’s sleep. Yawning, stretching, and patting his tummy, he’s ravenous and searches for Mommy in their cave. She suggests going outside and eating purple berries. Little Bear eats berries of various colors—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, navy, and, finally, purple. After each feast, Little Bear says, “Hungry little me!” When he’s at last finished, he’s covered in different-colored juices. When Mommy sees her multihued “little Messy Bear,” he laughingly corrects her: “No, Mommy, I’m your little RAINBOW BEAR! HAPPY LITTLE ME!” This is a very simple, sweet introduction to the basic colors (color names are capitalized and printed in their respective colors). Some adult readers may be confused about why the authors opt for “navy,” a name children may be unfamiliar with, rather than “indigo.” (There’s some debate in the scientific community about whether indigo should be in the ROYGBIV rainbow.) Beauvois’ delightful collagelike illustrations are a remarkable homage to brilliant collaborations between the late Martin and Eric Carle, such as the classic picture bookBrown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (1963). An endnote briefly explains hibernation and rainbows. A charmer about bears, colors, food, and rainbows: What’s not to love?(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.