School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-A sweet story about the simple happiness that comes from staying true to oneself. Big Bear outgrows his old boat and decides to build himself a bigger one. It is perfect: "You are just what I dreamed you would be," Big Bear says. But his friends suggest improvements: a mast, a top deck, and a cabin, which turn the boat into a bit of a mess. Big Bear politely thanks his pals for their input, but says, "This boat is not my dream," returns the boat to its original form, and happily rows around the lake. This follow-up to Bunting's Little Bear'sand more carried away. With the detailed illustrations done in thick, dark lines and rhymes that flow easily, this book begs to be shared at storytime.-Brooke Rasche, La Crosse Public Library, WI (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
In the sequel to Little Bear's Little Boat, following the advice of other animals, Big Bear adds extra features to his big-boat-in-progress, and he isn't pleased with the messy results; he lets his friends down easy ("A bear should never let go of his own dream"). The cloying moments detract from the simpler-is-better theme, reflected in the subdued pen-and-ink and digital illustrations. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Bunting and Carpenter (Little Bear's Little Boat, 2003) team again with a story riding on a Thoreau-vian sensibility with a Zen serenity. Big Bear has outgrown his boat, so he has given it to Little Bear--who is having a blast with it--and embarked on building a bigger boat. It evolves from looking like a coracle to a whaler--a big rowboat--which is just the ticket, until well-meaning friends suggest Big Bear add a top deck, and a mast, and a cabin. Big Bear, no great carpenter, creates a shambling ramshackle of a boat--off true in every sense of the words. Big Bear gently tells his friends that the boat is not the one of his dreams. So he simplifies, simplifies, back to the big rowboat, back to something ancient and enduring, something to float on to watch the moon rise and the stars shoot, to take a nap to the lap of the water against the hull. The text has a clarity that could be set to music; Carpenter's artwork is spare, but its colors couldn't be more emotive and its poses more natural in their capturing of motion and mood. This story is more than just a tale of sticking to your vision--it's a small world unto itself. A keeper. (Picture book. 4-8)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Once upon a time, Big Bear was a little bear who outgrew his boat and gave it away (Little Bear's Little Boat, 2004). Now Big Bear is building a new vessel just like my little boat, but bigger. When he finishes, it's bright blue with a white stripe and just the right size for Big Bear to stretch out in. Over at Huckleberry Lake, when it's time to put her on the water, Beaver comes along and suggests Big Bear build a mast for his fine boat; then Otter suggests a top deck; and Heron, a cabin. Soon it looks nothing like the boat Big Bear always imagined. His friends understand that he's unhappy, and after some dismantling, the boat is back to its perfect original state. With spare, gentle text and cozy ink-and-paint illustrations, this picture book is nostalgic in feel and has a simple, timeless message about following one's dreams. We all want a little place to call our own, and kids will feel Big Bear's satisfaction as he contentedly spends a day on the lake, listening to the water and watching the stars.--Kelley, Ann Copyright 2010 Booklist
