ACCESS DIGITIZED EDITION
Guide/Reviews Database
PRESCHOOL
Lichtenheld, Tom

Louis

40 pp. | Houghton | October, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-1-328-49806-9 $17.99
(2) PS Illustrated by Julie Rowan-Zoch. Louis, a gruff-and-grouchy stuffed bear, recounts the indignities he suffers as the beloved toy of a little-kid owner: "I've been a pillow, a hankie..." Sometimes the behaviors are imaginary-play-related (being fed to a dinosaur, forced tea-party attendance), sometimes they correlate to the real world ("I've been x-rayed [at the airport]...milk-sprayed [at the breakfast table]"). When he's "mislaid" on the school bus, it's the last straw. "I can bear it no longer. The next time this kid squeezes me, I'm outta here." Rowan-Zoch's warmhearted, kid-centric digital illustrations do much to convey the story's mood, including Louis's bad one. Through body language and facial expression, along with curved lines and gentle hues, it's clear that the child owner is acting out of pure, unadulterated love for a favorite stuffie; but then we're not the ones being manhandled (bear-handled?) by an overeager tot. Nevertheless, Louis's resolve softens the more he contemplates striking out alone and as he realizes how good he's got it. "A bear could do worse," he concludes, while on the last page being snuggled up in bed. Cupcakes, compliments, and cuddles are the way to a grumpy bear's heart.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2020

RELATED 

PRESCHOOL

The Farmer and the Circus
by Frazee, Marla
PRESCHOOL

Bird House
by Gómez, Blanca
PRESCHOOL

The Crow and the Peacock
by Fernihough, Jo
PRESCHOOL

Something's Wrong!
by John, Jory
PRESCHOOL

Grandpa Across the Ocean
by Yum, Hyewon
More

Get connected. Join our global community of more than 200,000 librarians and educators.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing.

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?