In June 2020 Moonbear’s very first adventure was reissued. Frank Asch’s Moonbear can be experienced in a fresh, new format, but stays with the classic story. I knew who Moonbear was but had not really read anything in the series. Or if I had, they did not “stick” with me. And even though the reader copy I had said Moonbear I thought it was going to be a new book, not a new edition.
I am honestly not sure how I felt about a bear who loved the moon so much, they were saddened when it starts to shrink. I am not sure how I felt about the same bear who loved the moon so much that they sacrifice their health for the moon. And I am not sure how I feel about birds drinking honey. However, I do like the fact there is one bird with a hat. That helps set this little bird apart from the others as it has an important role.
The art is simple, even simplistic. And this might be a good thing or not depending on your own personal taste. The sweet, quietness of the story is in stark contrast to the “action” of today’s books. This picture book is nice. Cute. But it will either be LOVE or EH. There really is little in between. I am more on the EH side. It did not grab me, but I did not dislike it. I enjoyed the experience, liked most of the illustrations and felt that now know I what Moonbear all is about, I am just not completely sure why the longevity of the books.
With that said, I am certainly going to recommend the book to people and even give it as a gift.
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