Bear must devise a fun outing, and the pressure is on.Fish has many great ideas for her and her pal Bear to try. They climb the tallest tree in the woods (Bear carries Fish's bowl on her head), ride their "summer sled" to purchase carrot muffins at the bakery, and make a tent using Bear's favorite blanket. But when Fish suggests that Bear should choose the next day's activity, Bear is stumped. The night is a fretful one. Eyes wide with anxiety, Bear can't sleep. "What if she couldn't find an idea? What if that meant she wasn't a good friend?" And even more worrisome, what if Fish stops being her friend completely? Throughout the story, Bear checks in: "Fish, are you there?" Fish responds with calm reassurance, never doubting Bear for a second. The next morning, with continued gentle encouragement from Fish, Bear spots the tools from the previous outings and comes up with a brand-new idea that incorporates all of them. Fans of Big Bear and Little Fish (2022) will be pleased to see these characters return. Trusting that an idea will come is a daunting prospect; readers will relate to the lead-up anxiety but also the rush of excitement when it finally arrives. Eyes pooling with worry, scraggly Bear eventually gives way to pure relief and delight-all palpable in the dynamic cartoonish art.A winning tale of friendship and creativity unleashed. (Picture book. 4-7)

PreS-Gr 3— Bear and Fish are the best of friends. Every day, Fish has a big brand-new idea for what to do. One day, Fish suggests that Bear be the one to come up with the idea for the following day. Bear agrees but struggles with just what this brand-new idea should be. Bear puts together ideas from the previous days but reflects that spending time with a best friend is always a great idea. The art that propels this story along is colorful and funny. Like a graphic novel, it extends the text to give readers an idea of what else is going on between the friends and around them in an entertaining way. Young readers will enjoy the dilemma and recognize the anxiety of choosing just what to do each day. VERDICT This gently humorous story would be a good addition to libraries needing animal and friendship stories, especially for those with other tales of Big Bear and Little Fish.— Debbie Tanner