BEAR CAME ALONG

Narrator Joshua Manning squeezes a lot of fun into this enjoyable little audiobook about a bear and the new friends he makes on an unexpected river adventure. Beginning with a wonderful lumbering bear-like melody, the musical score and delightful sound effects carry the story along as Manning creates uniquely humorous voices for all of the woodland animals. He deftly keeps listeners engaged with his pacing as the story moves toward an exuberant climax. Young listeners will hear about the importance of sticking together, even in moments of uncertainty. Manning's narration enhances this Caldecott Honor picture book. Listeners who have the book in hand will find LeUyen Pham's illustrations provide the perfect visual companion for this special ode to friendship. S.A.A. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2020]