David Soman

Oh, how marvelous! Love the art, love the story, especially love the asides - the three boats from other books (I was convinced that the "confused" boat was from Jerome K Jerome, but a blogger on SLJ (?) set me straight), the "salty" Skipper who helped them...and I'm now wondering if the "lumpy hat" island is an homage to Paddington! Oh, and the name of the boat. What else will be hidden in re-readings? Like the image of the not-so-fun island - is that a reference? Anyway, the story is show more great, too - "who, after all, was a bear" - that made me laugh. And the squinty mad bear eyes...too funny. Yes, I could go on for a very long time about this, what, 40 page book? Loved it. show less

These illustrations! Ranging from striking seascapes to comedic vignettes, they alone could make Three Bears in a Boat worth the read. That the story accompanying them is sweet and fresh and adept at offering a lesson without feeling preachy or predictable is even better.

A bulldog tries to help his labradoodle friend learn how to catch a tennis ball.

It's not bad, but the story and prose just don't have the charm of the first picture book I read about this duo, probably because this is a reader focused on simple words and concepts. Or maybe these two just don't have the chemistry or energy to really carry a franchise.

An enthusiastic labradoodle tries to convince his serious buddy, a bulldog named Elvis, that there's no need to be anxious about a trip to the vet.

I want to like this odd couple, but their stories are just ever so bland.