Big Bear And Little Bear Go Fishing by Amy Hest & Erin Stead

This is going to sound a little random, but this is one of the best-smelling books I’ve read in years! I got it in the mail just the other day and it’s been sitting on my desk ever since, so I was pleased to finally be able to crack it open, then even more pleased to catch the fragrance of whatever heady concoction they’ve got going on between the pages and binding. It’s like the much cherished old book smell, only fresher (a verdict my eldest child also came to independently of my own!)

The contents, too, feel like classic children’s literature, but updated ever so slightly for modern readers. The story is of Big Bear and Little Bear, a father and son (or really any male duo in the roles of guardian and ward.) Big Bear wakes up one day in the mood to go fishing. Little Bear, ofc, proclaims the exact same, so off they go to prepare for a nice long day of trying to catch a fish. There are quite a few steps, including baking scones for the trip and packing their wagon, and then there is, ofc, a long time out on the water, before ending the day with a sweet, snuggly nap in a hammock.

The story is understated but powerful. I really appreciated how Big Bear and Little Bear made scones for their trip together, showing an admirable competence in the kitchen that underscores how cooking isn’t a primarily female task. Little Bear’s love for and idolization of Big Bear was also palpable throughout, as was Big Bear’s care for his little shadow. I also liked how catching a fish was clearly not the ultimate goal of the bears’ endeavors. Spending time together was the point, whether it be through cooking, reading or just enjoying the outdoors (or snoozing: one of my favorite pastimes, shared or otherwise.)

Erin Stead’s illustrations throughout perfectly suit the narrative. While the anthropomorphic bears do plenty of unnaturally human-like things — such as wearing clothes and fishing with poles, to name just two — they’re recognizably wild, non-cartoon creatures. That makes the expressiveness of both Big and Little Bear all the more uncanny, just from the tilt of a head or the position of a hand. The watercolor nature of the illustrations enhances the warm, dreamy mood, making this picture book a pleasant read for those of us thinking already of long, lazy summer days spent in the company of those we love most. Aside: how is it already cold enough that I want to wear socks inside the house already? It’s only early September here in Maryland!

Speaking of those we love most, I brought this over to my kids for a test read, as usual. My eldest and middle children both thought it was really cute, and immediately started doing voices (my youngest, being In A Mood, declined.) Eldest said that his favorite part was how realistic the book felt, anthropomorphic animals aside. Being able to spend a long day with a loved one you look up to is it’s own reward, as this book wonderfully shows.

Big Bear And Little Bear Go Fishing by Amy Hest & Erin Stead was published May 21 2024 by Neal Porter Books and is available from all good booksellers, including