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Bear and Mouse #5

A Library Book for Bear

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Bear does not want to go to the library. He is quite sure he already has all the books he will ever need. Yet the relentlessly cheery Mouse, small and gray and bright-eyed, thinks different. When Bear reluctantly agrees to go with his friend to the big library, neither rocket ships nor wooden canoes are enough for Bear’s picky tastes. How will Mouse ever find the perfect book for Bear?

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

7 people are currently reading
464 people want to read

About the author

Bonny Becker

25 books113 followers
Bonny Becker is the author of a number of award-winning picture books and middle-grade novels. She lives in Seattle.

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5 stars
634 (34%)
4 stars
805 (43%)
3 stars
339 (18%)
2 stars
72 (3%)
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9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews
Profile Image for Fiza Pathan.
Author 42 books377 followers
August 10, 2025
‘A Library Book for Bear’ by author Bonny Becker and illustrator Kady MacDonald Denton is one of the best PYP books or Primary Years books that I’ve read in a really long while. It was perfectly American, perfectly bookish, and perfect for young and eager minds who wish to start a never-ending relationship with their PYP library.

Besides, any book that even remotely talks about pickles always has my thumbs up all the time and every time! I’m glad Bear and I share this same boundless fondness for pickles and that he ultimately found his stay at the library on one particular day with Mouse to be rewarding. To know more, check out the 5th book in the Bear and Mouse series titled ‘A Library Book for Bear’. It is a charming story with no wild shenanigans, perfect for readers who like their books to be calm and comforting, and is a real treat to read and ponder over lightly from time to time.

I loved the tenacity of Mouse and I’ve yet to meet a BFF who can be that tenacious where my comfort or wellbeing is concerned. Anyone with a great best pal like Mouse around will find it difficult not to have a wonderful and fruitful day, and if nothing else – a ‘picklelicious’ day at least!

This book easily gets 5 stars from me. It was a soothing read especially to my influenza red eyes and helped me greatly in my recovery.
Profile Image for Kellie O'Connor.
411 reviews205 followers
April 24, 2023
A very adorable book that you can read to your little ones, especially if it's their first time to pick out a book from your local library. The illustrations are in beautiful pastel colors and pleasing to your eyes! Bear has never been to the library and only goes because he promised his friend, Mouse. Bear learns very valuable lessons about how to behave in the library and how to pick out the perfect book!!! Too cute 🥰🧸🐀📚

Enjoy and Happy Reading!!! Highly recommended.
Profile Image for La Coccinelle.
2,259 reviews3,568 followers
November 19, 2018
Bear really doesn't like change. He likes his routine, and the seven books on his mantel, thank you very much. So when Mouse takes him to the library, Bear is sure he won't find anything he wants to read. It takes getting sucked in by storytime for Bear to see that the library just might have something to offer him after all.

Like A Bedtime for Bear, this book features charming illustrations with great facial expressions on the characters (especially Bear). The message about trying new things is good. I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as A Bedtime for Bear, though they're pretty close. I'd like to read more of Bear and Mouse's adventures; unfortunately, our library isn't as well stocked as the one in this book.

Quotable moment:

A Library Book for Bear
Profile Image for Garrett.
583 reviews9 followers
January 16, 2018
Listen--I work in a library and I can tell you that never has there been a patron like Bear. Bear is rude and loud and stubborn and doesn't like any of your book suggestions. It would be unfathomable if a library patron acted in such a way!
Profile Image for Julie.
2,573 reviews33 followers
August 16, 2015
Both the text and illustrations are truly delightful. Not only does bear discover the satisfying pleasure of browsing a library and finding book treasures for the first time, he also stumbles upon story time and discovers the pure joy of being read to.
Profile Image for Abigail.
8,024 reviews265 followers
November 19, 2018
Although Bear is convinced that he has all of the books he will ever need - "three about kings and queens, three about honeybees, and one about pickles" - he and Mouse head to the library in this fifth picture-book devoted to their adventures together. Mouse tries his best to find the perfect book for his persnickety friend, but Bear only gets more and more impatient, and more and more loud. Then Bear overhears the librarian telling the story of "The Very Brave Bear and the Treasure of Pickle Island," and his attitude changes...

Every bit as delightful as its predecessors, A Library Book for Bear pairs an engaging, well-written, humorous tale from American author Bonny Becker with amusing, expressive artwork from Canadian illustrator Kady MacDonald Denton. As always, I enjoyed my time with these two characters, who are well-matched, despite being so very different. Although the fifth book in the Bear and Mouse series, this is the sixth that I have read, having encountered the recently-published A Christmas for Bear this past holiday season. This means, sadly, that I have now reached the end of the available adventures of these two wonderful characters, although I certainly hope that more will be forthcoming. Recommended to anyone who has read and enjoyed other Bear and Mouse books, and to anyone searching for picture-books about odd-couple friendships, the importance of the library, and the joy of finding new stories.
Profile Image for Kaethe.
6,572 reviews532 followers
January 17, 2021
#17 in my 365 Kids Books challenge and request to GoodReads that the Top Readers, etc. lists be fixed. For a full explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.

I don't think that supposedly repeating paragraph has gone untinkered with a single time (not counting the book number). The ADHD or something else in my brain finds it very hard not to keep tweaking.

This is rather a shorter return to a book than usual, but 2020 dragged on interminably, and the Autumn was several decades worth of news, all on its own. But also, I am enamored of Bear and Mouse, their tiny little lives, and the lovely art. Denton [three hour digression on my part, starting with the question " MacDonald Denton, or just Denton for the last name? and continuing through entries on all the Wyeth-connected artists in Wikipedia which brought on quite a bit of rage at how dismissive the entries on the women were, compared to the men, and the repeated theme of "didn't paint again til the children were grown" or similar in relation to marriage, which diminished the women's work while enabling the men to do more].

Denton's art is focused with enough detail to make close consideration particularly fun. It is visually and emotionally warm, and it adds a welcome dimension to Becker's straightforward, sly humor. Charming book.

Library copy
Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,513 reviews71 followers
September 8, 2014
“Bear had never been to the library. He had seven very nice books at home: three about kings and queens, three about honeybees, and one about pickles. Bear was quite sure he had all the books he would ever need.”

Okay, maybe I’m easily amused but I just laughed out loud at that first page quote – and quickly ran and read it aloud to my library supervisor! Then, I carefully put the book aside … and raced home to read the book aloud to … my husband!! No kids in my house; just the overgrown big kid I married. My test run read-aloud on him worked like a charm: we were both so enchanted with the story and illustrations.

I especially was thrilled that the librarian was not doing the shushing. And, unlike some others who have reviewed here, I am not bothered by the presence of shushing within the story. Why? Because so many patrons still think the library must be utterly quiet and still – and the only way to change that perception is to gently reeducate the patrons doing the shushing and show them that all are welcome regardless of level-of-voice!

This is a spectacular read-aloud story. I can see it having huge popularity in storytimes. I personally am adding it to my arsenal of go-to picture book recommendations. Now … I’m off to request a copy for my nephews in Colorado!
Profile Image for Miranda Reads.
1,801 reviews165k followers
December 27, 2025
"Bear had never been to the library.
He had seven very nice books at home..."

Bear is quite satisfied with his book selection - 3 books are about royalty, 3 about bees and the last one covers pickles. What more could a bear ask for?

"One morning, Bear heard a tap, tap, tapping at his door."

Oh no. Mouse is at his door and INSISTING that Bear comes with him to the library.

The LIBRARY? Why would Bear want to go there? Surely he doesn't need any more books...right?

This is my first foray into the Bear and Mouse picture book series and I thought it was rather cute.

The grumpy Bear and bright-eyed Mouse made for a fun duo of characters - though I did think it was rather rude of Mouse to be so insistent.

Sometimes you say yes to plans...and later realize that they weren't the right fit for your day. Mouse barrels through Bear's denials and pushes him quite firmly to the library.

That being said, I liked how this book highlighted that Libraries can introduce you to new subjects but also tell you more information about a favorite subject (i.e. pickles).

Overall, it was a cute book!
Profile Image for Rahmadiyanti.
Author 15 books175 followers
April 1, 2021
Ih, Bear rese, ngeselin, keras kepala, nggak mau berpindah dari zona nyaman! Hahaha! Tapi saya suka karakter tokoh yang pemarah dan keukeuh dengan pendapatnya--meski nanti akan berubah. Cocok buat read aloud pada anak-anak. Sebab anak-anak dapat diajak untuk menyelami karakter seseorang/tokoh, yang tak semua baik-baik dan lurus-lurus saja. Anak diajak mengetahui kenapa seseorang bersikap seperti itu dan bagaimana akhirnya dia berubah. Salut buat Mouse yang sabar banget sama Bear :D

Buku yang menarik untuk mengenalkan anak pada perpustakaan. Ilustrasinya kece.
3,6 stars.
Profile Image for Mehsi.
15.1k reviews456 followers
February 14, 2016
Not a long review, just a short one to express my thoughts.

My first Bear and Mouse book, normally they don't really seem like ones I would enjoy, but then I saw this one and knew I had to try it out! I love libraries and books, and so I was curious if Bear would change his feelings on books.

Bear is a great character, though I must also confess that I found him annoying for most of the book. I didn't like that he shouted in the library, I didn't like how obstinate he was. He didn't even want to try things out, no matter how hard Mouse tried to find something. He was grumpy, bleh and meh. But he changes when he finds out something and he becomes a slightly better character.

Mouse was just so-so. I don't really have an opinion on him. Just that he is a bit too persuasive and too pushy.

The book teaches kids to open their minds (since you can never have enough books), to keep your voice down in the library and also that a library might (just a little bit) have a new favourite book for you.

The illustrations were really lovely. The colours were pretty and I liked how the characters were drawn.

Will I read more Bear and Mouse books now? Not really. This one was pretty fun, but that had more to do with the setting and the fact it was about books.

Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Profile Image for Martha.
1,348 reviews10 followers
November 10, 2014
Bear has never been to a library, why should he when he has seven perfect books on his bookshelf. But when his best friend Mouse comes by to take him, Bear realizes he can't refuse Mouse because he promised Mouse earlier that he would go with him. The illustrations of huge Bear skating unbalanced on his little red roller skates with Mouse perched precariously on a little basket that Bear's holding is a hoot, because of the curmudgeonly expression of bear's face and posture. Bear's disposition goes downhill as he roars, "MY VOICE IS ALWAYS QUIET." This is a beautiful picture book with expressive colorful, watercolor and gouache illustrations to share with youngsters, portraying the strong characters traits of Bear and Mouse, and the joys one discovers in the library. Pair A Library for Bear with Michelle Knudsen's Library Lion, as two terrific picture books to promote libraries.
Profile Image for Chance Lee.
1,399 reviews158 followers
May 15, 2017
I really like the artwork in this one, watercolor illustrations with creamy colors and subtle brushwork. The characters are unique and funny, and the story is good -- a story about stepping outside of one's comfort zone, the magic of the library, storytime, and pickles.
Profile Image for Stella Wenny.
465 reviews144 followers
March 31, 2016
I really really love the water-colored illustration. So pretty.
Profile Image for Margaret.
119 reviews
September 29, 2018
I love this book! Bear is grumpy and mouse gets him to the library. Of course he finds a book he really likes (has pickles in it). I tested this out with first graders today--they loved it. Fun places to be the grumpy bear and do a tiny mouse voice, too. And of course there's a nice, inviting librarian. Now I need some pickle books!
Profile Image for Laura Lynn.
189 reviews10 followers
June 1, 2022
The title caught my eye (I love a book about books!).
Bear was a bit stubborn, but the ending was good. Nice artwork.
Profile Image for Almira.
670 reviews2 followers
August 2, 2018
Bear doesn't need more than 7 books, and they should be about pickles.
Mouse convinces Bear they need to go to the library, of course, Bear doesn't understand about speaking quietly.....
Read this at my Pre-school story time program at the library, the children LOVED it.
Profile Image for Jennifer Worrell.
Author 16 books119 followers
April 14, 2021
Children really do benefit from seeing themselves in books and it refreshes their interest in reading, especially when they're the hero. Even if they're portrayed as a cranky bear stuck in his ways. The expressions and body language of the characters made me laugh out loud.
Profile Image for Karrie.
858 reviews8 followers
May 18, 2020
Bear doesn’t want to go to the library - he has enough books. Mouse insists he can find another, which of course he does. Cute addition to the series of encountering new things.
Profile Image for Linda Gill.
128 reviews9 followers
August 21, 2014
"Bear had never been to the library.... Bear was quite sure he had all the books he would ever need."

So this story begins. He had seven (7!!) books and he was sure that he had enough! We know differently, don't we?

His friend, Mouse, and he were supposed to go to the library, but now that Mouse had come for him, he was sure that he had made a mistake in accepting this invitation. But Bear consented, put his roller skates on; Mouse hopped into the basket carried by Bear, and off they went. As they approached the library, which could have been a Carnegie library for its grand outward style, Bear called it, "Most excessive." Then when he walked into the library and saw all of the books and the size of the library, he proclaimed, "Terribly extravagant." Mouse began to bring books to Bear, hoping that Bear would find one that peaked his interest, but Bear's voice only grew louder and louder with each new negative response to Mouse. A patron told him, "Quiet voices in the library." He was also shushed by a mother squirrel from the other side of a bookshelf. Then, to his amazement, he saw many young animal patrons with a parent or two listening intently to the librarian as she read a children's book for story time. After another doubtful moment when Bear could just not handle being in the library, the librarian caught his attention. She was able to make a real library book reader out of Bear, but you will have to read the story to find out how she managed this!

The illustrations are soft and easy to look at as the story unfolds through each page. Bonny Becker and Kady MacDonald Denton have worked together on the series of Bear and Mouse books since 2008, making this one the sixth in that series.

Reading Level: 3 - 7 Years

Bonny Becker had a dream of becoming a writer, but before she published her first book, she went to college two times, getting a degree in Psychology and a degree in English/Creative Writing. She is the author of six books about Bear and Mouse, including the New York Times bestseller A Visitor for Bear. She is also the author of a number of award-winning picture books and middle-grade novels. Bonny Becker lives in Seattle with her online presence @ http://bonnybecker.com/

Kady MacDonald Denton is an award-winning illustrator and has authored some of her own children's books as well. She observed in 2011 that "I'm in that quickly-shrinking group of illustrators who doesn’t use a computer at any stage in the illustration process." Kady MacDonald Denton lives in Ontario, Canada and can also be found @ http://kadymacdonalddenton.ca/
Profile Image for Dolly.
Author 1 book670 followers
January 2, 2015
This is another fun story in the Bear and Mouse series by Bonny Becker and Kady MacDonald Denton. I was very excited to discover this tale, especially since the friends go to the library and I am always a fan of library stories.

The narrative is humorous and the illustrations are as adorable as ever. I love that the vocabulary in the story is a little challenging for younger children, with words like "dreadful, delightful, rippling, excessive, and extravagant."

For some reason, I wasn't inspired to read this book aloud with an British accent as I was with the first story, A Visitor for Bear. Still, it's a fantastic story about visiting a library, including how to behave, participating in a storytime, and the wonder of having so many books to choose from. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
Profile Image for Susan Brown.
15 reviews2 followers
Read
June 8, 2015
Review from School Library Journal:
For Preschool-K — The set-in-his-ways star of A Visitor for Bear (Candlewick, 2012) is back. Bear is reluctant to try new things, so when Mouse insists they go to the library, he finds the whole idea "excessive" and "extravagant"—after all, he has seven very nice books at home. He grows grumpier and grumpier as Mouse shows him books about rockets and entreats him to use his quiet voice, but when he hears the librarian reading at storytime, Bear falls under the library's spell. Denton's colorful watercolor, ink, and gouache illustrations perfectly capture the expressions of these mismatched best friends. Young readers wary of new experiences can count on Bear to lead the way.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD --Kathleen Kelly MacMillan (Reviewed August 1, 2014) (School Library Journal, vol 60, issue 8, p64)

I like the reviewer’s suggestion that this book could help children that are uncomfortable trying new things. A Library Book for Bear would be a sensitive way to start a discussion around this topic.
Profile Image for Heidi-Marie.
3,855 reviews87 followers
November 10, 2017
I adore the Bear books. I want to own every one. But especially this one. Because I'm a librarian. And I love books. And having Bear discover how amazing books are, especially with all libraries have to offer--yep, I'm sold! I might be able to swing this in storytime if I prep them for a longer book. They'll get the library part, since they come regularly!

1/7/15 The perfect closing book for my Books & Libraries theme. Had a lot of fun reading this aloud. The length didn't bother them at all, even after picking a couple of other books that were fairly long. Yay!

9/28/16 Used in Books theme for preschool. We were on such a roll with 2 great books and a fabulous Early Literacy Moment. This was the perfect ending. They laughed and smiled and thought it was adorable. Yay!!!

11/6/17-11/9/17 Used in Morningside Elementary visits. Read this to the K class. While some of the words were big for them, they like in preschool, completely understood the humor from the library rules.
Profile Image for Barbara Gregorich.
Author 206 books23 followers
August 17, 2014
I'm a big fan of Bonny Becker's bear and mouse books, starting with the hilarious A Visitor for Bear, and so when I saw this most recent addition to the series, I just had to read it. Even though this book isn't as uproariously funny as the first one, it still packs a lot of humor (particularly when bear violates and then enforces the library's "speak quietly" rule) most of it stemming from the bear's curmudgeonly nature.

Any one who has tried to introduce somebody else (child or adult) to something new, but has met resistance, will appreciate the grumpy bear responses, the stubborn resistance, and then, when least expected, the sudden enthusiastic acceptance. Lots of fun!
Profile Image for Julie.
1,546 reviews
August 10, 2015
Loved the whimsy of the illustrations - bear reading a book about pickles and drinking a cup of tea when mouse comes to take him to the library! Also loved the "cluster of youngsters" gathered around the librarian as she reads - goose, rabbit, possums, raccoons clutching their own books, a baby-wearing fox with two cubs in a sling, and, best of all, the mother squirrel who "shushes" bear! Bear has "all the books he needs," but eventually gets enticed by storytime and totes home seven new books - including another one about pickles. Absolutely charming.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews

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