Bear's New Friend    by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman Order:  USA  Can Margaret K. McElderry, 2006 (2006) Hardcover      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson On a hot summer day, Bear looks out from his den, 'itching to head out and play.' He starts looking for friends, and hears a clatter in a tree. Who can it be? Bear keeps asking that question, but it takes a while to discover the answer. Mouse scurries up, so it's not him. 'They peek in the tree, / but nobody's there!' Hare hops into the picture and joins the search, telling them that 'Something sped past, going fast, fast, fast!' They find Badger, Gopher and Mole 'peering into a deep hole', then Raven and Wren fly by to join the gang. When a frustrated Bear demands 'Why don't you like us? / WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY???', a trembling voice answers, 'Because - I am shy.' That's how Bear makes a new friend. Can you guess who it is? Karma Wilson tells a delightful tale of friendship and inclusion, while Jane Chapman's lovely illustrations bring the summer forest to warm, scented, colorful, rustling life around these engagingly expressive animals. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews