ALA Booklist

In the further adventures of Bear and Mole (Spring Is Here!, 2011), it's a windy day ich means perfect kite-flying weather. Bear rushes ("Huff. Puff. Huff") to tell dear pal Mole that it's finally time to build a kite. After they construct and then fly the kite, a storm rolls in ("Rumble. Rumble. Rumble") and snaps the string. No matter e kite winds up in a tree, colorfully decorating a bird's nest. With lots of repeated-sound words and large, bold mixed-media spreads, this one would work well for spring-y preschool read-alouds and chime-alongs.

Horn Book (Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2012)

It's perfect kite-flying weather, so Bear and Mole (Spring Is Here!) construct their own kite and fly it happily until a storm whisks it away. They chase the kite and discover that it has found a new purpose: shielding baby birds from the storm. The eventful plot, plentiful sound effects, and jaunty illustrations make this an excellent addition to Bear and Mole's adventures.

Kirkus Reviews

In this breezy kite affair, the adorable duo of Bear and Mole is back again, reveling in nature. Blue sky and a gusty day make for one ebullient Bear. Huffing home he gathers Mole to commence the kite-making. Together they collect, cut, construct--and find success with their kite until dark clouds appear. A broken string and a spool unspun leave the two racing through rain after a rainbow tail. But urgency turns to quiet joy when their loss (a broken kite) becomes a bird family's gain, as it shelters fledglings from the storm. Simple sentences, often three words or fewer, describe the action, while Hillenbrand's illustrations wonderfully animate the text. The artwork, digitally manipulated pencil with water-based coloring, has a lovely softness; the characters, with their plumpness and simplicity, are extremely appealing. Sophisticated compositions are cinematic or sequentially kinetic, cleverly matching the author's playful use of onomatopoeia. Muted tones that begin the tale give way to darker and more dramatic hues, creating a powerful shift, both visually and emotionally. This gentle and charming read-aloud will make young audiences "awww" with delight. (Picture book. 3-6)

School Library Journal (Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2012)

PreS Having determined that the wind is just right for flying kites, Bear and Mole investigate how to make one, gather the materials required, and test out their finished product, with unexpected results. The joyful, exuberant protagonists are set against broad expanses of field and sky, and plenty of white space. This cheerful picture book is a felicitous blend of short text and brightly colored mixedmedia illustrations. It is a winner for storytimes. Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA