cover image Bear in Love

Bear in Love

Samantha Davis, illus. by Sophie Fatus, Blue Apple (Chronicle, dist.), $12.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-60905-044-3

A heart-shaped "loves me, loves me not" spinner embedded in the cover hints at the love-induced pining that follows. When a doughy bear falls in love with a radish-headed bunny, his "regular life in the forest is no longer regular." The bear watches the bunny from a distance, imagining everything they could do ("In summer we could have picnics. In fall we could throw leaves and shout: "Hooray for us!") and pondering how to make his move (not that there's any doubt, but his moment of courage proves fruitful). Fatus's childlike collages and Davis's evocative descriptions convey a love dilemma with humor and panache. Ages 5–up. (Feb.)