Norton and the Bear is a story of a friendly bear who really enjoys the style of his new friend and repeatedly copies him. Will the Bear be able to get his own style without copying someone else? Will Norton be able to accept that it is okay for others to like the same things he does?

Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. An adorable picture book about being different but also being okay with being the same. Lots of funny, laugh-out-loud moments.

There is no shortage of picture books about the importance of individuality and being true to yourself. A few are written about the idea of copycats, usually a younger sibling who wants to be "just like" the older one causing a great deal of frustration for both and resulting in the realization that copying is a compliment but finding ways for the younger one to be different. I like that this book doesn't try to explain the bear's behavior. It just admires Norton's style and replicates it. It's not about the bear needing to be exactly like Norton but rather sharing the same tastes, much to Norton's great annoyance. The plot is more about Norton's intense need to be different to the point that he can't see how he hurts the bear until it's too late. Evans is suggesting to the reader that other peoples choices are not about you and don't have to effect you. All of this is done with simple prose and charming illustrations featuring expressive characters that support the text well.

Absolutely adorable. I loved the art - especially the clothing and expressions. A good reminder that sometimes, being special together is even more fun than being special alone :)

Overall, I like this book and the message but especially the ending falls a little flat. Norton, is I believe a dog, and he’s found the perfect sweater that they love. But bear loves it so much they get one of their own, so now the two are identical. Norton is unique so he has a scarf then Bear has a scarf. Next comes the hat, and the a flower, etc. Norton wants to be unique , they do not like Bear following in their footsteps. But they both learn that even though you may look identical you can be very different. The illustrations are lovely and the story is interesting but there’s just something that makes it feel flat but can’t tell you what it is.

Oh, I loved this book. Love loved it, I thought the ending was perfect and the cape was the best and I can't wait to handsell this to all my people!

Thanks to Netgalley and Berbay Publishing for a free digital copy.

What a cute book with fun illustrations. I thought Bear was so entertaining. He was just so eager to be like his friend. Very good lesson for kids to learn.

This fun picture book is about a character named Norton (I think he's a dog?) who likes to express his individuality by dressing in random outfits. One day Norton meets a bear who absolutely loves his sweater and decides to get an identical set. Norton doesn't love this idea and decides to add accessories like a scarf. The bear takes these changes as an opportunity to adjust his own outfit and purchases more identical items. Norton is not super impressed but eventually decides that wearing the same outfit doesn't matter too much, that you can still be unique even if someone is wearing the same things as you. I can see this book being funny and engaging for young readers. I would recommend this book to families and teachers of children in the age 4-8 range. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this great picture book!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book and the characters. It’s a great, fast and enjoyable read. I love the bit of a twist at the end.

The pictures that went with the book were simple, but well done. Also the characters themselves were super cute.

Overall, I would read more by this author.

The darling illustrations really make this book about a guy who likes to dress in his own unique style and keeps being annoyed by an enthusiastic bear who buys all the same outfits. Kids will get a laugh out of the moral about embracing it when people "copy" them, and the bear is pretty adorable.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

e are all different and unique. Norton and Bear are no different. Norton likes certain clothes and he likes his clothes to be just as unique as him. When Bear sees a sweater that Norton has, he has to have one for himself. Norton was horrified that Bear wore the same sweater. Norton has to be different and quick. He goes on to pick a scarf. Bear has to have the same scarf. On and on it goes. A funny tale of flattery. Norton in his timing, learns something that is timeless. It doesn't matter what we wear, we are all different and sometimes we are the same.

A funny book to read with your young readers. I have a granddaughter that does not like when I copy her so this would be a good one for her to read. :)


A special thank you to Publisher Spotlight and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Norton loves expressing his individuality through wearing unique clothing. He is overjoyed to find a sweater nobody else has, but Bear sees him and runs out to buy the same sweater! Every time Norton tries to add another article of clothing to differentiate himself, Bear admiringly runs out to buy the same. Eventually Norton explodes at Bear and feels bad about it. Bear walks off to buy a cape to make his outfit different, and when Norton admires it, Bear pulls one out for him.

My 4-year-old twins loved this book! They often squabble over either wanting to dress the same or wanting to dress different depending on what day it is. They both really identified with this book and chuckled over Bear’s eagerness to copy Norton amidst Norton’s budding frustration. The illustrations were beautiful and enchanting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher’s Spotlight for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.