Spider and Bear, housemates since Bear's Scare (2018), are friends, even if they don't always share the same habits.
"Spider loved the outdoors." Today, he wants to fly his new kite--and "the bugs were also nice." Bear, on the other hand, is a stay-at-home type. His ideal day includes cleaning up the house, "followed by a nice cup of tea in his cozy chair." But then, as shown in a sweeping illustration of trees, clouds and one lonely kite sailing into the sky, Spider's kite flies away. The tiny spider asks the huge bear for his assistance and Bear is ready to help his friend, despite his dislike of the forest. Unfortunately, when they venture into the woods, their day goes from bad to worse. At first Bear complains about everything--"Who would want to smell so many yucky weeds?" "Who would ever want to see such an unpleasant forest?"--even though it is clear through illustration that Spider really enjoys these experiences. When it starts raining, Bear is ready to give up, but the sight of his forlorn friend inspires him to continue the search.
Jacob Grant's (Through with the Zoo) charcoal, crayon, ink and digital illustrations use a predominantly green and brown palette with pops of yellowy orange and mauve. There is a surprising fluidity to Grant's forms, which are solid and blocky, with fully saturated colors, perhaps showing themselves to be as steadfast as Spider and Bear's friendship. Though the two still have different hobbies, the last wordless spread demonstrates how they find a way happily to share their favorite pastimes, creating a model for children with different interests to find ways to spend time together. --Melinda Greenblatt, freelance book reviewer