Emma Chichester Clark

Clementine and her clever friend George the Bear are at it again in this second story about his heartwarming adventures. Clementine and her mother love having George around. He has become a part of the family since his first encounter with them in book one led them to teach him how to read. George isn't necessarily handy around the house but he tries to help out despite his main interest in reading books and drinking tea in the garden. So one afternoon when Clementine and her mother go to town to complete some errands, George decides he could be helpful and return his library book himself without their assistance. He finds his way into town but every time he goes up to talk to someone in one of the main street shops the store suddenly becomes closed for the day and people keep running away and hiding from him in the streets. George intends to find his way to the library but he is upset by the fact that his intention to be friendly with the people along the way has failed so miserably. He is almost to the library when another miscommunication with some people along the way leaves him and his book wet, and tears fall from his eyes. Clementine finds George as she and her mother are walking down the street and tries to comfort him, while also giving the townspeople a good talking to about how brave George has been and that yes, even bears cry sometimes.

This book is a great way to encourage children between the ages of 4-8 to embrace their emotions. This audience of readers can learn from George that emotions are just fine and that we can show our feelings while also solving our problems in the end, especially with the help of friends, family, and other kind people in our lives. The book also has some imaginative and detailed artwork that draws the reader's eyes through the adventures and mishaps of George the Bear's trip to the library in a fantastically playful way. The dialogue, descriptive language, and artwork work together to create another engaging picturebook for this series that teachers, parents, and librarians could easily enjoy reading out loud to young primary-age children.… (meer)