ALA Booklist (Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 1991)

A persistent buzz in his bass troubles Berlioz, a band-leading bear whose orchestra is about to play at a gala event. His worries increase when the bandwagon hits a rut and the mule pulling it refuses to budge. Several would-be rescuers try and fail to get the wagon on its way, but it's the sting of an angry bee--the source of the bass' mysterious buzz--that gets the mule up and running and the musicians to the party just in time. The story works if you can believe that a strong ox and a sturdy cart horse, both bigger than the mule, can't do the job, or that a diminutive cat and assertive billy goat even think they should try. The best thing to do is to let yourself be dazzled by Brett's lavish display of draftsmanship, color, and design. The story's Alpine setting prompts rich costumery for the animals and ornate detail wherever the opportunity arises (don't miss the floral-stenciled wagon). The artist's trademark borders, lovingly filled with a host of meticulously drawn figures, present yet another engrossing display. This is quintessential Brett and a pleasure to behold.

Horn Book

Brett's flair for depicting animal people is well deployed in this tale of a bear orchestra's misadventures en route to a performance. Abounding in just the sort of detail that children love to devour, the illustrations play out the bears' unfortunate accident, while the borders tell of the other animals' preparations for the village fete.

Kirkus Reviews

On the way to a village ball with his orchestra (six bears), Berlioz forgets his concern about the mysterious buzz in his double bass when his bandwagon's wheel falls into a pothole—and when the mule goes on a sitdown strike from which a long series of helpful animals fails to dislodge him. At last, a bee emerges from the bass and stings the mule; the orchestra gets to the ball just in time. The rather slight story here is well contrived to serve the charming illustrations. Brett's appealing beasts are realistically portrayed but also wonderfully expressive of the comical side of human emotions; the setting, judging from the quaint village architecture and the folk-art-inspired detail, is Alpine. In addition to the drama of the main events, readers are treated to intriguing glimpses of animals assembling for the ball in border-like friezes. A book to pore over for its wealth of visual pleasures. (Picture book. 4-8)"

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

This winning balance between high style and fun will amuse and amaze readers again and again,"""" said PW. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-- A wonderful blending of elements into a cohesive, thoroughly entertaining work that subtly introduces young readers to the world of music. While practicing, Berlioz the Bear detects a strange buzzing noise coming from his double bass. On the way to the concert with the rest of the bear band, he is so preoccupied with the sound that he accidently runs the wagon into a hole. The lead animal, a mule, refuses to budge, despite a series of animals who unsuccessfully try to pull the wagon out. At that moment, what should fly out of Berlioz's bass but a very angry bee that takes out its frustration on the mule's hindquarters. The sting does what the other animals failed to do; the wagonload of musicians goes careening into the village at full speed and arrives just in the nick of time. In tone, Brett's cumulative story has elements of traditional folklore, and her spare text begs to be read aloud. Her pen-and-ink, watercolor, and colored-pencil illustrations are richly, often humorously, detailed, and they sweep over each double-page spread. The brushwork is distinct, and the palette is a well-organized blend of earth tones with touches of red and blue. The artist's penchant for borders is evident, here taking the shape of a proscenium arch. The top portion of each arch shows the villagers' preparations for the performance while the side panels depict various animals enroute to the concert. The borders, manner of dress for the animals, and scenery all have a distinct flavor of traditional Austrian and Swiss culture. --Denise Anton Wright, Library Book Selection Service, Inc., Bloomington, IL