In her debut as a writer, picture-book illustrator Hudson treats readers to a delightful story of friendship and acceptance. Bear is fed up being a bear. He doesn't want to sleep all winter or deal with stinging bees in summer. To top it all off, his fur is too hot! Observing a mother duck and her ducklings, Bear decides he'd rather be a duck. With guidance from the mama duck, he tries his hand at building a nest (but doesn't have an egg), swimming (he splashes too much), and even flying (well, more like falling). In the end, Duck tells him he makes a very good bear, and an even better friend. The ink-and-watercolor illustrations are warm and expressive. Pops of bright color make details such as red apples, pink flowers, and blue water stand out against muted, natural tones. An appealing and approachable take on an unusual friendship.

PreS-Gr 1 Bear is tired of being a bear. He doesn't like to sleep all winter, and his fur is too hot in the summer. And he is sick of all the angry bees when he tries to gather honey. As Bear sits grumbling under a tree about how much he doesn't want to be a bear anymore, he hears the sound of nearby ducks: "Quack!" Bear decides to join them and tries his hand at being a duck. Duck reluctantly agrees to help him. Lessons abound with nest building, swimming, and evening flying and although Bear is determined, he just can't succeed at his lofty goal. Humorous illustrations reinforce the plot and provide readers with a pleasing story of friendship and subtle lessons on embracing those qualities that make each individual unique. Standout illustrations rendered in ink and watercolor create an inviting mood. Spreads, cute vignettes, and painterly style drawings in warm hues create excellent focal points, making this a winning composition and fun-filled tale. VERDICT A sweet and engaging picture book debut. Melissa Smith, Royal Oak Public Library, MI