ALA Booklist

Poor Bear gets lost in the woods during a storm and worries about the noises he hears. Are there spooks? Meanwhile, back in his lair, his friends become alarmed by Bear's absence, with Wren wondering, "What if Bear feels scared?" Eventually the rescue party finds their pal and brings him home. Chapman's moody color palette neatly captures both the frightening woods and the warmth of the lair. Bear's sixth book is as fresh as the first as the bond between Bear and his woodland chums deepens. Since the fear of getting lost is one that children often face, Bear's happily concluded adventure will be reassuring.

Horn Book (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

Bear, out looking for a snack, gets lost on the way home. His friends, worried by his absence, form a search party, go out into the stormy night, and find him only ten feet from his den. Storm-swept illustrations and the refrain "the bear feels scared" contribute to the story's tension, while Bear's fans will be reassured by the familiar characters and format.

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

Beloved Bear gets another emotional workout, this time a frightening episode in the dark and stormy woods. While Bear is on the trail of a snack, things quickly turn windy, wet and, as Bear gets lost, downright spooky. He cries and trembles, curling up amid the gnarled roots of a huge tree until his ever-faithful band of woodland friends—who have carefully formed a proper search party—come to his aid. Via rhyming text and the repeated refrain “And the bear feels scared,” Wilson and Chapman (<EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Bear Snores On; <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Bear Feels Sick) once again tap into the psychology of preschoolers, exploringa common childhood emotion. Chapman’s acrylics capture the motion of the blowing winds, while Bear’s ultra-expressive eyes and lumbering hulk demonstrate his vulnerability; readers will immediately connect to his experience. Meanwhile, in the cozy fire-lit lair, preparations for Bear’s rescue—replete with lantern and string to tie the searchers to one another—evoke warm feelings about teamwork and support. Ages 3–7. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Aug.)

School Library Journal (Mon Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2008)

PreS-Gr 1 This likable character and his animal friends are back in one of their best outings since Bear Snores On (S & S, 2002). While walking in the woods, Bear gets lost, and the other critters begin to worry about him. They form a search party, find their friend, and return to the lair to cuddle up and fall asleep, and finally, "the bear feels safe." Wilson's rhyming text moves along at a steady clip, with only the smallest missteps in meter, and the repeated refrain begs for audience participation. Chapman's acrylic illustrations perfectly mesh realism with emotional expression; the characters show their concern for Bear, whose fear is almost palpable. The combination of full-bleed spreads, single-page paintings, and smaller insets keeps the story flowing and encourages page turns. Bear's cozy den, painted in warm oranges and browns, contrasts effectively with the outdoor scenes, done in blacks, blues, and grays. The reassuring story is simple, but speaks to children's fears and the safety they find with the people who care about them, creating a comforting and accessible forum for discussion. With its large, richly colored illustrations, this book will work equally well one-on-one or in storytime, and listeners are sure to request repeated readings. Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT