with Bear and his friend Mouse, a delightful duo created by the author Bonny Becker and the illustrator Kady MacDonald Denton.

Last night, Katherine and I read A Bedtime for Bear and we just couldn’t get enough. From the adorable illustrations to the wonderful vocabulary to the insightful but subtle message, this book has it all. Katherine learned new metaphors like “Quiet as a mouse” and new words like “torment” without realizing that she was smack in the middle of many teachable moments. We both laughed out loud more than once and adorded the amazing expressions shown on Bear’s face. If you become as obsessed Denton’s amazing illustrations as we have, please take a minute to check out her interview on Jules’ blog, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. You’ll be able to see a sneak preview of the new Bear book along with Denton at work in her studio and a video of her drawing Bear.

Then this morning, Caroline woke up grumpy so I suggested I read to her, an activity that will often get her out of her morning mood. When I picked up A Bedtime for Bear, she told me she was ‘done with picture books’. I pretended I didn’t hear her because there is just no way that any child of mine is going to be ‘done with picture books’. Ever. 

Caroline must have been kidding because she sat right down next to me and began laughing. After loving A Bedtime for Bear, she said, “Don’t we have another book about these guys?” A pretty interesting question for a girl who is done with picture books, don’t you think?I didn’t mention that tough and ran downstairs to grab A Visitor for Bear.

More laughter, more joyful illustrations and more new vocabulary ensued.

A  bit later in the morning, Caroline told me that something was “insufferable”- a word that is new to her vocabulary and came directly out of Bear’s mouth only a short time before.

As if I needed another reminder why my children will never, ever be “done with picture books. “