ALA Booklist (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Bear and Spider (who became friends in 2018's Bear's Scare) don't always agree on what activities to share. Spider makes a kite to fly with Bear, but Bear prefers to stay indoors. When the kite gets blown away, Bear reluctantly agrees to help look for it. Together they go into the forest, which Bear dislikes because of the "itchy plants," "pesky bugs," and "yucky weeds." Even Spider's enthusiasm is dampened by a sudden downpour, and when Bear trips over a rock and falls, the friends are ready to give up. In light of Spider's disappointment, however, Bear persists. The rain stops, and they spot the kite stuck in a tree. Digitally colored charcoal, crayon, and ink illustrations capture the characters' range of emotions. Although Spider's only facial features are his eyes, those circles manage to convey excitement, anxiety, sadness, and anticipation. This affirming story of friendship includes themes of kindness and perseverance, subtly promoting an appreciation of the outdoors as Bear realizes it's not so bad "out there."

Kirkus Reviews

A persnickety, stay-at-home bear is pushed beyond his comfort level by a bold and creative arachnid.Spider has made a new kite, and he begs his friend Bear to come outside and play. Bear has other plans, namely "a tidy day at the house, followed by a nice cup of tea in his cozy chair." But the wind snatches the kite away from Spider, so Bear grudgingly agrees to help Spider find it. Everything in the forest that delights Spider is anathema to Bear. He does not like the "filthy ground," the "itchy plants," and the "pesky bugs all around" (Spider especially likes them). While Bear grumbles, Spider enjoys all the new sights and sounds of the forest. Eventually both friends are exhausted and deterred by the weather, which has turned nasty. They still haven't found the kite. Just as they are about to give up, they spy the kite high up in a tree. Finally Bear gets his cup of tea, and the friends compromise by flying two kites comfortably from chairs in the garden. Grant's soft, muted crayon-and-ink illustrations, full of rounded shapes, complement the warm comforting tone of the story, and the text is clearly laid out and should be easily read by beginning readers as well as grown-ups. Spider is adorable, composed of two ocher globes with stubby, unthreatening legs, wide eyes, and a button hat.A cozy tale of friendship and compromise between two very different creatures. (Picture book. 3-5)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Grant (Bear-s Scare) reunites curmudgeonly Bear and his sweet roommate, Spider, in this pleasant forest adventure. Outdoors-loving Spider, sporting a button cap, is eager to fly his new handmade kite. Bear, a homebody, prefers to stay inside to sip tea and clean (noticeably leaving Spider-s webs intact). -But plans have a way of changing,- and after Spider-s kite blows away, Bear agrees to help retrieve it, though not without grumbling about -yucky weeds- and -noisy twitter- out of doors. -Who would ever want to see such an unpleasant forest?- he asks amid an idyllic scene of blooms, waterfalls, and rose-colored butterflies. The story takes a turn when thick lines of slanting rain begin to justify Bear-s complaints, dampening Spider-s mood. Bear plans to head home, but after seeing his down-spirited friend perched on a rock, he relents, and the two continue their quest, camaraderie buoying their spirits as they search. Grant fans will recognize his affable charcoal, crayon, and ink animal portrayals; a jewel-toned palette gives the book an inviting feel. The story resonates with timely themes of tolerance, friendship, and persistence in the face of tealessness. Ages 3-6. (June)