Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories, written and illustrated by Jarvis. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2023. $21.99 ages 5 and up

 

"Bird took a bite and began to chew.
Everything was resting on this leaf. 
This randomly plucked leaf. This 
slightly soggy leaf. 
Bird stopped chewing.
Then she chewed a bit more.
"Bear," said Bird.
"Yes?" said Bear. 
"It's ... delicious," said Bird."

In the first of four connected stories about Bear and Bird, young readers learn that silly things happen to friends when Bird gets stuck inside a flower while waiting for Bear. When Bear comes outside to get on with their day, he can't find his friend; he does discover a talking flower. It takes a while and a lot of conversation for Bird to make her escape. Bear remains oblivious to the fact that the flower could not talk, not realizing it had been Bird all along. 

The second part of their day together is meant to be a picnic. Bear doesn't want Bird to be unhappy, so he assures Bird he has done everything she has asked of him to make the day a success. He has been to the bathroom, he has brought the music player, packed both the lawn chairs and the picnic. In fact, he has done none of those things. Along the way, he constantly diverts Bird's attention from discovering what he has NOT done. Or does he? 

When the two set up easels in Bird's garden for an afternoon of painting, they get right to work. It doesn't take long until Bird realizes that Bear is very good at it. Bird, on the other hand, not so much. When the other animals praise Bear and laugh at Bird's attempt, she storms off to be on her own. Being the true friend he is, Bear is quick to catch up with Bird and reassure her.  

The final story concerns a blanket. all warm and cuddly and hard to leave. When Bird asks Bear to join her in watching the sunset, or going for apple crumble, he makes excuses. Worried, Bird brings back warm, minty tea only to hear Bear to talking to someone. Jealousy rears its ugly head. A heartfelt explanation has a lovely result. 

Full of warmth and the misunderstandings between friends, Jarvis has created a book that a young audience will fully understand. The appealing illustrations add another level of appreciation for the ups and downs of real friendship - mostly ups! Each of the little surprises as the stories end add to the charm.