The Sniffles for Bear

The Sniffles for Bear by Bonny Becker
Illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton
2011

     Bear and Mouse are back (see A Visitor for Bear).  This time around, Bear has a dreadful cold, so bad he thinks he might not make it.  Mouse arrives to do everything he can to help, but he's just too cheery for Bear who feels like he doesn't appreciate the gravity of the situation.  Mouse reads, sings, plays the banjo and helps Bear climb back into bed.  Mouse cooks a hot spinach soup for Bear, who by now is feeling so ill he dictates his will to Mouse. Finally, exhausted, Bear falls asleep and when he wakes up he finds Mouse sitting next to him.  Bear feels better now but mouse, well, he doesn't look so good. "His eyes were watery, and he made sniffly sounds."  Their roles have switched.
     The Sniffles for Bear is a wonderful addition to the adventures of these two unlikely friends.  Bear's overly dramatic attitude is balanced by mouse's joy for life.  Denton's  watercolors are beautiful and the portrait of mouse celebrating Bear's decision to leave him the roller skates in his will, brought a smile to my face. It perfectly captured all of Mouse's joy de vivre.  A celebration of friendship, and a great read aloud.