Bear Is Never Alone.
By Marc Veerkamp. Illus. by Jeska Verstegen. Tr. by Laura Watkinson.
Apr. 2023. 32p. Eerdmans, $17.99 (9780802856036). PreS–Gr. 2.
Talented musician Bear delights the other woodland creatures with his piano playing. Eventually, though, he’d like some quiet time to himself, but his audience insists Bear continue. Even when he flees, they follow, persistently demanding, “More, more, Piano Bear!” until Bear’s had enough—and, with a roar, sends them scurrying. All except book-carrying Zebra, that is, who praises Bear’s music, then offers, “How about I do something nice for you in return? I’d like to read you a story.” Initially, Bear’s grumpy and uninterested, but he eventually reconsiders—“Let’s be alone together.” Enchanting, mixed-media illustrations in black and white with pops of red depict the forest setting and expressive…
