This is a sweet story about a bear who finds a ukulele in the forest and wants to share a song for his friends. The poor guy keeps getting interrupted doing his solo as other animals discover more instruments and use them to sing their musical compositions first. Their songs by Bear's standards are very, very good which leave him feeling intimidated and inadequate.

Finally after everyone has performed their song it's his turn and he puts all his heart and soul into his singing. The lyrics are very simple. Very very simple. When Bear belts out the last note he asks his audience what they think.

"Well," said the crow, "it certainly... why, it certainly gets to the point.
" And it's -- well, let me think," said the tortoise. "it's easy to remember."
"Very easy," agreed the snake.
The bear sighed heavily.
"You didn't like it." He puts down the instrument and lumbered off.

Mouse, sensing the disappointment and sadness that Bear is feeling follows his friend and encourages him by saying that he likes the song. They enjoy each other's company together and then wrap up the tale sweetly. It is an ending that will bring a smile to the reader's face I'm sure.

The illustrations are beautifully done. They are soft and lovely. The message of not comparing yourself to others but having pride in your own uniqueness is a wonderful one. This book is a follow-up to the infamous "King Mouse". I highly recommend this book.

The sweet bear wants to share his song. The others, who are louder and more assertive come and force their way to share their song first. The bear is much too polite to interrupt their songs though they did not give the same respect to him. Only his friend mouse sees what is going on. She stays true to bear.
This is a sweet tale that will certainly speak to the children who are quiet and choose not to speak up when others around them are louder.
The illustrations are beautiful. They were the reason I was initially drawn to the book. Though the cover was wonderful, the illustrations throughout the story were even better. I particularly love the bear enthusiastically belting out his song when he finally gets his turn. I love the joy on his face when he floats peacefully down the river with his friend, Mouse.

This was really beautiful to look at! Truly gorgeous artwork and the story was perfect for a bedtime story-light, a little repetition but with a fun and sweet touch to it. Very well done.

The monochromatic illustrations bring focus and life to the characters. Be yourself, and be respectful of others seem to be the message behind the story.

Cute story about animals finding various instruments and each playing their song. Most sing about themselves, while the bear sings a very simple song--so simple the other animals don't know what to say. So the bear runs off, the mouse follows him, and together they discover the beauty in the simplicity of the bear's song. Very nice illustrations.

The art-style is really nice and special and soft, and the story is really cute as well. You can't help rooting for the sweet bear, and his mouse friend who supports him and helps him

Short illustrated book about a group of animals who find a child's abandoned music kit and share their own musical talents. Bear is the most eager, but possibly the least adept, although this matters little to his close companion mouse. The illustrations are detailed and monochromatic.

I love this book! As a teacher who plays ukulele with my students, i think this would be a big hit. It would like to add it to my list of books for my social/emotional curriculum to talk about hurting others feelings, feeling left out and friendship. The story also has a lovely message about the joy of music for music's sake.

Author Cary Fagan and illustrator Dena Seiferling bring back the cast of characters from <i><b>King Mouse,</i></b> their first book together. In that picture book, a mouse discovers a crown and becomes king for a time, delighted to be waited on and entertained by the other animals. But things go awry when all the other creatures but one, Bear, also discover crowns—all planted in the forest by a child on a tricycle. (It’s hard not to think of Mr. Fagan as the mischievous child who has left behind objects just to see what his animal characters will do.) Bear lumbers off, despairing that he’s the only one lacking a crown. A kingly, generous gesture by Mouse <spoiler>the fashioning of a dandelion crown</spoiler> ends up cheering Bear and cementing the friendship of the two.

In <i><b> Bear Wants to Sing,</i></b> the child on the tricycle once again rides into the forest in the misty morning light, this time to place several musical instruments. Bear makes the first discovery: a ukelele. He’s all set to sing for his friend, the mouse, when one animal after another interrupts. Each discovers and plays a different instrument, singing to celebrate his or her own kind and way of being. Fox thinks they should form a band. Bear isn’t so sure. He’s been put to shame by the sophisticated lyrics of the others; his own composition is barely a ditty. <spoiler>It consists only of the line “I’m a bear” repeated a dozen times.</spoiler> Bear lumbers off to the river, dejected once again and determined to travel far far away. Mouse follows his friend, cheering Bear with praise for the authenticity of his song. “It’s just like you,” he merrily tells his friend as the two float—gently down the stream—Bear on his back, and Mouse on Bear’s belly.

This is another lovely and unconventional picture book by Fagan and Seiferling. The text and the old-fashioned, sepia-toned illustrations are beautifully matched. Children who love Arnold Lobel’s “Frog and Toad” books will adore this one.

This is a great book about being you and not letting someone else steal your joy. The supporting characters are not necessarily supportive, but the mouse saves the story. I liked how each character had their own song to show the individualism, but I wish the bear either stood up for himself or that they hadn't overridden as much.

In Bear Wants to Sing, Bear finds a ukulele and thinks of a song he wants to share. But poor bear keeps getting interrupted as the forest animals find musical instruments and share their songs. He finally shares his song but seems disappointed by the reactions of the firest friends. Mouse however, just gets bear in a sweet ending to this story. Within this short tale the illustrations and text create an understated beauty.

Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book has a lot to love about it. The illustrations are beautiful and the build of the story, and the anticlimax of the bear’s song are delightful. However, I felt that the ending resolved too quickly without a clear message. It seems like there’s strong potential to say something about good friends (mouse), but it felt like a few pages were missing after the bear finaly sings his song. Perhaps it would help to have the other animals be less polite about it, so the mouse can more clearly come to the bear’s defence.

With gorgeous illustrations, this book is about not comparing yourself to others and finding those who appreciate you for who you are. I thought the art was stunning and the message quite lovely.

A sweet and beautifully illustrated story about a bear and hi song. A bear finds an instrument in the woods and wants to play the song to his friend Mouse, but suddenly other animals come and play other instruments before he can. The artwork is just beautiful, gorgeous, and so pretty. It’s a short and easy read, and very sweet. I would definitely recommend this book!

*Thanks Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This book was very short, and to the point, just like Bear’s song was, just as any children’s book should be. Although I’m not sure what exactly the point was. There wasn’t a discernible message in this story, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying it. The illustrations for example were beautiful, and I’m certain that mouse is going to be everyone’s favourite character.

beautiful art and a good message about friendship and support, no matter the talent. the encouragement from mouse was cute