Bear goes looking for the father he has never known in this gentle little book, the first of three stories - followed by Used-Up Bear and Lonesome Bear - devoted to his adventures. Although he has a home by the sea with Clara, who shares her sandy days and warm, cuddly nights with him, Bear still dreams of having a father. "And soon his dream became a longing. And then his longing became an empty place inside him he thought only a father could fill." And so he set out one day to find that father, questioning all he encountered along the way, from the sea to the fish, ducks to boys, eventually discovering (as the reader realizes all along) that what he is seeking has been with him all the time.

Clay Carmichael's simple text is combined to great effect with her equally (and deceptively) simple illustrations, with their clean black lines, and muted watercolor tones, creating an early reader that is sweet, soothing, a little melancholy, and a pure pleasure to peruse. Having greatly enjoyed Ms. Carmichael's debut middle-grade novel, Wild Things, I went in search of her other work, and I am not sorry I did! I recognized and appreciated the style of artwork here immediately, as will any reader who enjoyed the depiction of Mr. C'Mere in Wild Things, and I enjoyed the tale. I will definitely be looking for the sequels! ( )