Bear’s Lost Glasses

Youngest readers generally enjoy knowing something that the hero of a story does not, and Timmers (Kind Crocodile) capitalizes on this pleasure in a work of mixed-up perception about a bear who’s lost their spectacles. Not only do readers see the misplaced red glasses right on top of Bear’s head, when Bear heads for Giraffe’s house to search for the object, the journey reveals several cases of mistaken identity that stem from the animal’s unassisted vision. In crisp painted spreads with loads of textural detail, Bear mistakes a leafless tree for an antlered deer, a green hedge for a crocodile, a large rock for an elephant, a flowering bush for a flamingo, and Giraffe’s long, reclining form for a snake. Each natural object looks enough like the conjectured creature that Bear’s observations feel plausible, and Giraffe stays patient as the pair retrace Bear’s steps with glasses firmly in place (“Um, I can’t see a flamingo, Bear”). Via this lighthearted handling, readers get to enjoy their own comparative outlook, the silliness of Bear’s near-misses, and the satisfaction of a running gag resolved (“GIRAFFE!” says Bear, upon perceiving their friend). Ages 4–6. (Oct.)