There's this moment in this book where the bear, who's solely determined to be a hermit, falls to the floor and weeps to his unwanted mouse vistor, "I give up. You win. I am undone." That's kind of how I feel about this book. I read it for the sake of reading it, and I had no expectations for liking it whatsoever, but... like the unwanted mouse visitor who wanted to stay and make himself at home with the bear, this book has somehow made itself at home with me as well. It's adorable. The illustrations alone, the honeybee tablecloths, the vintage claw-footed oven, and the bread drawer, I too wanted to visit this bear. Regardless of the "No visitors" sign on his front door. I want to have a cup of tea with him too. Two lumps of sugar, please. Anyway, this book is a charmer. You're gonna like it. It's beary lovely. I read this to the kids during afternoon tea time, and they were so into it they were hardly eating! Bear doesn't like visitors, and in fact he has a sign on his door saying "No visitors allowed". One day as he's about to get his breakfast ready, a mouse knocks on his door. Bear tells him to go away, and closes the door in his face. But every time he goes to get an item for his breakfast - a cup, an egg etc. - there's the mouse! How did he get in? No matter how many times Bear keeps throwing the mouse out, he keeps turning up. Until Bear gives in, and lets Mouse join him for breakfast. They have a wonderful time, and Bear wants the mouse to stay, but the mouse promised he would leave after eating and so he goes. Bear practically begs him to stay, and mouse points at his sign. Bear tears it up and says, that's for salesmen, not for friends. And thus Bear makes his first (unlikely) friend!It's a great story to read aloud, with lots of inflection and intonation and emphasising the different voices, and the pictures are lovely complements - and it's fun to try and spot the mouse, hiding in the kitchen.
What do You think about Un Topolino Per Amico (2009)?
such a sweet story and reads aloud incredibly well! clever, fun and touching
—vampiregirl
This book is a bit long for storytime but has good potential.
—DanielleRenee21
