Me Too!

Starred review from October 1, 2013

PreS-Gr 1-This simple, sweet story of Bear and his affable little friend, Chipmunk, follows the pair through a day of wintertime activities. "I love snow!" Bear says as they gaze out the window at the falling flakes. "Me, too!" Chipmunk replies, cap and sweater in hand. Outdoors, Bear has lots of ideas: he will dig a path in the snow, make a snowman, ice skate, and ski. And so will Chipmunk. At home, over cocoa and cookies in front of the fireplace, outerwear hanging on a clothesline, they reflect on the fun they had. Short declarative sentences and a great deal of repetition make this picture book perfect for developing readers. The large, joyful watercolor and ink illustrations are enchanting and will help children make predictions regarding unfamiliar words. Well done.-Erica Thorsen Payne, Meriwether Lewis Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from August 1, 2013
Bear and Chipmunk enjoy a day together in the snow. Bear wants to do something, and Chipmunk replies with an agreeable, "Me, too!" no matter the activity. These two friends dig out the walkway from their house, build a snowman, go ice-skating, fall down, ski, fall down again and remember the day. Predictable text allows new readers to feel confident, while lively ink-and-watercolor illustrations extend the text. Sharp-eyed readers will notice the snow toys (in two sizes) lined up on the first spread, ready for the day. And, after the two friends go to sleep, the heavy snow in the moonlight suggests that tomorrow will be just as much fun. Chipmunk's tiny green outfit, especially when juxtaposed with the sheer size of Bear, will amuse readers as they explore the simple story. Each page is filled with details that will encourage new readers or lap listeners to slow down and find the big and little objects (right down to their bedside glasses!) that belong to these two critters. From their adventures in the snow to a warm snuggle in their tiny and huge beds, Bear and Chipmunk are friends that new readers will want to turn to again and again. Here's hoping there will be more. (Picture book. 2-7)

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September 15, 2013
Preschool-G Peering out the window at a snowstorm, Bear declares, I love the snow! and his friend Chipmunk responds, Me too! Soon they're outdoors shoveling, making a snowman, ice skating, and skiing. Then when Bear comments that the snow comes up to his knees, Chipmunk says, Mine too! Comically, that statement is true only because he has fallen upside down into a snowy hollow and is dangling from his crossed skis. Every time the burly bear makes a statement or two, the little chipmunk chimes in with a brief, positive response, usually Me too! While his remarks may lack originality, Chipmunk more than makes up that with enthusiasm, conveyed mainly through the large-scale illustrations. The relatively large format of the I Like to Read series offers plenty of space for Gorbachev's expressive ink drawings, brightened with watercolors. Reflecting the dialogue, the artwork sets a companionable tone. With its large-print text, lively artwork, and simple story of friendship, this book will please beginning readers and pre-readers alike.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2014
Bear and Chipmunk enjoy a snowy day outdoors shoveling, skating, and skiing. Throughout the simple story, whenever Bear speaks, Chipmunk replies, "Me too!" But when Bear says, "Sweet dreams," Chipmunk fires back a satisfyingly different reply. With this comical twist and the visual jokes in his lively illustrations, Gorbachev creates an entertaining book for those who are just beginning to read.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)