BEAR HAS A STORY TO TELL

Narrator Mike Birbiglia oozes “bearness” as he takes on the persona of a yawning, sleepy-voiced bear who visits several friends in the hope of telling a story. Unfortunately for Bear, winter is approaching, and no one has time to listen. Mouse has seeds to collect, and Duck is headed south, for example. When spring arrives and his awakening friends return, will Bear finally have his audience? Birbiglia’s voice is rich and deep yet highly animated and tender. His cadence slows as Bear slows for winter and then revs up with returning spring. Bear’s buddies—Frog, Mole, Mouse, and Duck—are distinctive as well. Gentle music and sound effects, such as crunching leaves and honking ducks, add flavor. An interview with Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator Erin Stead on the creation of the book completes the production. A.R. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2013]