Hotel Bruce (Mother Bruce)

PreS-Gr 2--In this sequel to Mother Bruce, the bear and his quartet of goslings return home from winter migration to find that some mice have moved into his home and turned it into a hotel. Staying true to character, Bruce grumpily shoos the unwanted squatters out. However, a miscellaneous cast of woodland creatures keep turning up all over his home (including in the toilet). Not surprisingly, the next morning the mice return, managing to turn the geese into bellhops. When a rowdy group of elephant tourists show up, Bruce loses his cool and sends all the visitors out into the rain. Eventually Bruce's tender heart kicks in and he invites the mice back in to likely become additions to his adopted family. The illustrations are delightful, with lots of visual humor for those who pay attention to details. Subtle gags abound in this addition to the series. Students will laugh out loud at Bruce's misfortune and cheer when he has a change of heart. VERDICT This latest installment is sure to enchant a wide audience; a recommended purchase for any library collection.--Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh

Some bears can't catch a break: having unwillingly adopted four goslings in 2015's Mother Goose, Bruce finds that three enterprising mice have converted his home into a hotel in this slapstick sequel. Higgins's caricatured artwork delights in the resulting chaos as possums throw a pillow fight, a beaver chows down on the kitchen table, and a frog gets comfy in the toilet. The goslings--who quickly step in as bellhops--provide lots of laughs, too, and although Bruce eventually sends the hotel guests packing, the ending proves that there's still room left in his heart, as well as in his home. Ages 3-5. Agent: Paul Rodeen, Rodeen Literary Management. (Oct.)