The woods can be a dangerous place, especially when there are bears around. But luckily, a young host is here to invite scared wanderers into a cottage. They warn you about the signs of a bear: “The hair on your arms stands straight up. You feel a pair of great big eyes watching the back of your head. Your feet get suuuuper itchy.” But when a bear shows up at the door, it throws everything the host says into question. Who really owns this house . . . and who really knows the truth of what’s in the woods?
Spider in the Well author-illustrator Jess Hannigan returns with The Bear Out There, an eccentric riff on the Goldilocks fairy tale. Filled with snarky commentary, witty imagery and slapstick comedy, this picture book will keep readers giggling.
Hannigan’s characters talk directly to the reader, sharing their thoughts, which often contradict what is actually happening in the surrounding illustrations. Her iconic paper-cut artwork is bubbly, colorful and expressive—perfect for this back-and-forth pull between text and image.
The Bear Out There will delight any reader looking for retellings that challenge traditional perspectives, and anyone who enjoys subversive picture books like I Want My Hat Back and The Monster at the End of This Book.