The Sniffles for Bear

First and second graders are listening to Bonny Becker's fourth tale about the sometimes stern Bear and the always eager Mouse. We have enjoyed talking about the spicy words she uses, transforming the text from expected to extra special. Words like bellowed, bustled, and decency warranted excellent conversation tidbits. Their favorite part, however, is when tiny Mouse assists enormous Bear in climbing the stairs to bed. The story is a wonderful model of voice, and the set of books demonstrates how characters evolve over incidents and experiences. Given how many children have been sick over the past weeks, they can all relate to how Bear and Mouse are feeling, too.