Sweater Weather

Getting ready to go out is a major production for a bear parent overseeing seven obstreperous cubs. In Phelan's (Turtle Walk) cozy domestic world, the stubby cubs--miniature versions of their huge, furry parent--are all dressed in pajamas; an even smaller infant cub crawls thoughtfully over the rug. "Sweaters on!" orders the adult, after viewing the glorious autumn day outside. The cubs' expressions telegraph a variety of reactions: worry, skepticism, cheerful anticipation. Leaving the bears to it and settling down to knit, the bear caretaker eventually calls upstairs to check: "Sweaters on?" "Not yet," comes the answer. In nearly wordless vignettes, gestures and facial expressions do the comedic work as Phelan imagines ever more hilarious ways for small cubs to don big sweaters. When the family finally makes it out the door, a slight disappointment, and a small miracle, await. Phelan creates instantly likeable characters and a story that centers parenting seasoned enough to realize that setbacks are inevitable--and that makes space to enjoy the day, and beauty of nature, anyway. Ages 4-8. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (Oct.)

Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2--In a pink bathrobe and with a cup of coffee in hand, a big bear peaks out of the window at the lovely red and orange fall foliage. It's time for the seven little bears to get their sweaters on! For these independent cubs (and one especially adorable baby bear), getting dressed is trickier than it seems. One little bear can't find the head hole, two are stuck in a single sweater, sweater arms are all tangled up, and one little bear's unraveling green sweater leaves a string of yarn dancing around the pages. With the big bear's help, all the cubs are finally wrangled and ready to venture out into the crispy air to enjoy the gathering dusk, and even a far-off shooting star. After all that preparation, it's time to go back inside and get the sweaters off for bedtime. While it might seem like a lot of effort for little payoff, at closer inspection this is a lovely story of one of life's magical moments, when a family takes time to appreciate nature and each other's companionship. Readers will want to don their own comfy sweaters and snuggle up with their loved ones. VERDICT A deceptively simple but warm and cozy celebration of autumn sweater weather.--Alyssa Annico, Youngstown State Univ., OH

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"A warm read for the fall. Phelan's text is remarkably spare, with just a few precise phrases to knit together a narrative about an adult bear and their seven cubs. . . . Humorous watercolors show their little round bodies packed like sausages into a rainbow array of sweaters—including one sweater with two cubs stuffed inside. The struggle continues for several pages, with the patient grown-up bear attempting to help without much luck. . . . Cozy up with this picture book."—Kirkus Reviews