An absolutely wholesome and sweet book for anyone who loves books or wants to grow their love of reading. It’s a pretty straightforward story of a Bear who learns how to read and wants more books. Where can he go in the city for books? Will our sweet Bear finally get all the books of his dreams?

My 3 year old understood the story and grasped the concept of Bear going to the library just like we go to the library to get books. The illustrations are lovely and bright and this is a great book for little ones.

Books aren't for bears, or are they??
Cute story that shares the love of reading with TK-2nd grade students. It sends the message that reading is for everyone.
The illustrations are enjoyable and this book would be perfect for the beginning of the school year.

This children's book tells the story of a bear learning how to read and his little journey to seek out more books. While I absolutely loved the vivacious and colorful illustrations, I felt that the story could have been stronger in terms of its educational content. I would have appreciated a little more focus on the process of learning to read (i.e recognizing letters and sounding out words) or exploring the emotional aspects of the learning journey — patience, frustration, and elation.

Additionally, I was a bit confused by some of the book's messaging, such as the [paraphrased] statement that, "grown-ups hardly notice anything important." While I'm all for promoting the value of reading and librarians, I also didn't see why the author needed to cast classrooms and bookshops in a slightly negative light. Could the teacher and bookshop keeper have just encouraged Bear to go to the library from the get-go and in a KINDER way?

As a mom of young children, I like to use [some] books to teach valuable lessons and I saw potential for THIS story, being about books and all, to incorporate more learning opportunities. That being said, I still think it's a decently charming children’s book with beautiful illustrations, and I would recommend it to others with the caveat that it may not have as much educational content as some parents might be looking expecting or looking for.

(Minor plot hole but someone in/around the forest is also forever without their bike…)

Thank you NetGalley for providing this ARC.

I really enjoyed how this book showed that a love for reading can come from just one book, I love how it shows that reading is for everyone not just for certain people. The pictures are silly and cute and my 1 year old giggled at a bear on a bike.

Cute picture book with a nice message about libraries. Suitable for preschool, kindergarten, maybe first grade.

I love books, bicycles and children. What's not to love about this book? A cute way to help children get excited about reading.

I love the story of this book & Bear's search to find more books was really cute. He wanted to learn/know more & he had courage enough to go find it. I love the emphasis on the library being a place for everyone and anyone. Reading is important & everyone should be able to enjoy the adventures that you can find in a book, even bears!

Silly Bear, books are for kids!

Bear just wants to read but no matter where he goes he keeps getting told 'no'. As much as I see and hear kids, especially now, get told what they should and shouldn't be allowed to read, and how angry that makes me, I absolutely loved this book. The illustrations are beautiful. And at the end of the day, I'm happy it was the library that made Bear feel the most welcome. Libraries don't judge you. Reading is for everyone. I will be acquiring this one for our library and another copy for my personal collection.

***Thank you to Netgalley and Capstone (who have top tier picture books all year long) for proving me with a review copy.

A cute story with great illustrations that teaches kids that books are for everybody and that the library is an inclusive space for all. I read this book with a 9 year old that loved it. I would recommend for library or bookstore story times. Celebrates the joy of books and excitement of reading.

Awwww poor bear! He just wanted to read some books! This was such a cute book. Loved the premise and the illustrations.

Such a cute picture book! The drawings are great, and this story of a bear and his love for books will please any book lover.

I will be buying this book for my classroom! I love it so much! I was nervous it was going to be like Library Lion but it is so much better! I will be telling everyone about this book!

Poor bear just wants to read but keeps getting kicked out of places or being told that books aren't for bears. Finally the librarian invites him in.

I was rooting for that bear to finally get his hands on some more books! Books Aren't for Bears is a sweet and empathy-inspiring story about the magic of books, the pricelessness of inclusive librarians, and the critical role libraries play in building a warm and welcoming community.

This book felt very thrown together. I liked the idea of adding another library focused book to our shelf at home but this book was really missing context and purpose.

I thought the images were bright and cheerful but I could not get behind some of the passages either. one specifically "grown-ups hardly notice anything important." I couldn't help but see the story as painting dislike towards adults, schools and bookstores.
There are obvious different routes the author could have taken to introducing the library as a fun/safe place.

This book will not be added to our home and I would highly discourage it being placed in a classroom.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This wonderful book, charmingly illustrated by Katy Halford, captures the magic of reading.
As a librarian, seeing that Bear is, in the end, accepted in the library truly warmed my heart. As a place of acceptance, inclusivity and curiosity, the library is one of the most special places in the world, and the book was masterfully written to highlight that.

Bear learns to read and has to find a place to fit in that offers a lot of books. That's not always easy. Charming, bright illustrations bring home the message of reading is fun and for everyone. Especially a bear.

Perfect for pre-K readers as they grow into the book format and message. Thanks to Netgalley, Capstone, and Matt Barry for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a cute book. I enlisted the help of my 3 year old with this book review. He loved the illustrations. It was a cute book following a bear who learns to read.

A great book to introduce libraries to young people. Kids will definitely enjoy the humour of bears journey and see themselves in him as well

Books Aren't for Bears is a tribute to the importance of books and libraries. Bear is bored until he finds a book and learns to read. When he finds a bicycle and visits the city to return it, he discovers several places with books he'd love to read. But which one will welcome a bear? A cute story that gets a little bit distracted.