In this typically spare outing, Bear worries when little Fox neglects to tell him that Goose's absence is only temporary. Happily, the three splendid friends are reunited at the end. Goose has to run an errand, but rather than letting Bear know that, Fox, distracted by an evidently bottomless satchel of toys, only wants to play. Fretting about Goose's whereabouts, Bear is likewise distracted--until Fox, with an adorably guilty look, delivers the message at last. The single, short bits of dialogue on each spread are practically superfluous, as the characters' placement in the minimally detailed scenes and Bear's body language clearly reveal both plot and emotional arc. Bear greets Goose's return with an exuberant embrace, and in the final scene, all three are piled in a group cuddle that both signals forgiveness for Fox and conveys mutual affection so intense that it spills out from the page to draw in young viewers. Bear looks more than ever like a huggable bundle of shag in this gentle reminder that failures to communicate happen and are not of necessity punishable offenses. (Picture book. 3-5)

"I have to go, but I'll be right back. Be sure to tell Bear," says responsible Goose. Fans of Bloom's previous picture books featuring Goose, Bear, and Fox (Oh! What a Surprise, 2012) will have some inkling of what might happen when Goose asks scatterbrained Fox to pass a message to quiet Bear, the worrywart of the trio. Bright, velvety pastels make this picture book a joy to dive into. The fuzzy texture of Fox's tail and Bear's coarse fur stand out against a luminous blue background, while Bear's worried expressions and Fox's playful ones are communicated through posture and tiny, expert changes to the shape or slant of each character's eyes. Large, simple shapes, gentle suspense, repetitive text, and a minimum of visual detail make Fox Forgets a great choice for storytime, but beginning readers can enjoy it on their own, too. And where was Goose all this time? Given that he leaves and comes back loaded with books, it's fair to guess he was visiting the library!

Before going out, Goose tells Fox, "I'll be right back. Be sure to tell Bear." But Fox is so busy playing, she forgets to relay the message, leaving Bear to wait and wonder. Readers will likely empathize with both Bear and Fox in this accessible, sparely written story. Rendered in pastels, the textured, eye-catching illustrations readily convey (delightfully fuzzy) Bear's anxiety.

In this typically spare outing, Bear worries when little Fox neglects to tell him that Goose's absence is only temporary. Happily, the three splendid friends are reunited at the end. Goose has to run an errand, but rather than letting Bear know that, Fox, distracted by an evidently bottomless satchel of toys, only wants to play. Fretting about Goose's whereabouts, Bear is likewise distracted--until Fox, with an adorably guilty look, delivers the message at last. The single, short bits of dialogue on each spread are practically superfluous, as the characters' placement in the minimally detailed scenes and Bear's body language clearly reveal both plot and emotional arc. Bear greets Goose's return with an exuberant embrace, and in the final scene, all three are piled in a group cuddle that both signals forgiveness for Fox and conveys mutual affection so intense that it spills out from the page to draw in young viewers. Bear looks more than ever like a huggable bundle of shag in this gentle reminder that failures to communicate happen and are not of necessity punishable offenses. (Picture book. 3-5)

PreS-Gr 1 As Goose packs up her things, she tells Fox that she has to go but she will be right back. Fox promises he will tell Bear. When Bear arrives, Fox is so intent on playing with his friend that he completely forgets to deliver Goose's message. Bear can't focus on play because he is so preoccupied with looking for her. After some time has passed, Fox finally remembers and sheepishly tells Bear that Goose will be right back. As if on cue, she returns and all three gather in a hug. While the trim size says picture book, the simple text and straightforward sentences scream beginning reader. Bloom's pastel illustrations are rich and warm, which lend to the cozy appeal of the book. This charming friendship story is a wonderful addition to any library or classroom beginning-reader section and a treat to add to the earlier four volumes. Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA