Brett Helquist

Bear finds it difficult to get to sleep in this engaging picture-book from author/artist Brett Helquist, who also illustrated Lemony Snicket's popular A Series of Unfortunate Events. With winter having arrived, it is time to hibernate, but his raccoon friends want him to come out and play instead, and the sounds of their happy play prevents him from falling asleep. Finally goaded beyond endurance, he emerges from his house in a terrible temper, only to be inveigled into a wonderful day of show more fun in the snow...

The second picture-book I have read that was both written and illustrated by Helquist, following upon his Grumpy Goat, Bedtime for Bear pairs a fun, engaging story with appealing artwork. The exuberance of Bear and his two little raccoon friends, and the fun of their games is ably captured in the visuals here, as is the affection amongst them. Helquist's depiction of their faces is quite well done, and their expressions are often quite droll. The indoor scenes, which show Bear in his bed, are cozy and cute. All in all, a sweet little bedtime book, particularly well-suited to winter-time. show less

Sunny Acres was one of the friendliest farms in the area until Grumpy Goat arrived and single-handedly changed all that. Uninterested in making friends with the other animals, whom he chased away, our caprine hero (anti-hero?) kept his head down and ate everything in sight. Until the day, that is, that he encountered a beautiful yellow flower and took the time to admire its beauty, thereby setting in motion a chain of events that led to his reform. But when the flower is blown away, what show more will happen...?

A prolific and much-celebrated illustrator, one who is probably best known for his work on Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events novels, Brett Helquist takes on the additional role of author for Grumpy Goat, producing a fairly engaging tale about the transformation that stopping to appreciate the beauty around us can produce. As always with Helquist, I enjoyed the artwork here, finding it colorful and expressive, with lots of humorous details. The animals' expressions are particularly appealing. Recommended to fans of the artist, and to anyone looking for picture-books about farm animals and/or stories in which the emotions of the main character are impacted by his perceptions of the world around him. show less

The grumpy goat of the title casts a shadow of gloom on Sunny Acres. The other animals of the farm try to befriend him, but he rebuffs them in no uncertain terms and grouchily eats his way across the grass, the garden, and the orchard. On top of Sunrise Hill he experiences an epiphany of empathy: a parched yellow dandelion catches his eye, reminds him of something bright and warm and beautiful, something familiar... Goat turns a corner, tenderly caring for the flower and warming up to the show more other animals, until - drama! - the bloom goes to seed and dissipates in the breeze. Powerless to save it, he is inconsolable, until - surprise! - the dandelion bloom returns, along with a bazillion others.

Lovely impressionistic illustrations propel the rich narrative arc (which is on the longer side). Can't wait to read it with a throng of preschoolers! And try it on the toddlers too. show less

More than just a cute story about a goat who learns the value of kindness and friendship, it's metaphor & resonant allegory. The colors of the art are deep and vibrant, and every page, even the ends, counts. Belongs on the same shelf as [a:Shel Silverstein|435477|Shel Silverstein|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1201029128p2/435477.jpg]'s [b:The Missing Piece|30122|The Missing Piece|Shel Silverstein|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388184341s/30122.jpg|41394], this is a picture-book fable for show more toddlers, school-children, and adults. show less