Bear is a masterful piano player. All the animals in the forest sit around and listen and when bear wants to take a break all they say is more, more, more! But all bear wants is solitude. After yelling and arguing the other animals scatter. But the zebra stays behind, offering bear a story. This begins in a weird spot. It ends with bear saying let’s be alone together. Stating that bear is never alone, but sometimes just needs peace and quiet. This book is lovely, but it feels unfinished. The illustrations are amazing. The illustrator is a master artist, bringing black, red and white to help set a theme and a tone for the story. I just wish there was more of the story.

We don't often see the pressures of fame as a theme in a picture book, but this one works surprisingly well. Ultimately it's more about self-care, about recognizing what other people need and being sensitive to that. A gentle, philosophical book with pleasant illustrations.

I saw a review from someone who didn't like this book, but I thought it was a great message. The pressure to perform and give in to whatever your friends or peers want can be very strong, especially for children. It's a beautiful story about a friend who just wants to be in Bear's company and doesn't push him for anything. This book is great for social-emotional learning.

Bear doesn't really want to be alone, but he certainly doesn't want the clamour that faces him from all the other animals in the forest when he proves to be such a virtuoso on the piano (don't ask). This is proven by the final beats, when he gets his wish of companionable solitude, someone to be there in his aloneness. It seems really contradictory, and it will feel overly so to many young readers, therefore causing this pretty creation to stumble at the end. I like the look, I like the way it helps convey bear's frustration at everyone else trying to make a performing monkey out of him, but I do see it as a problem that an adult has to be there too to make sure the moral is conveyed properly. Three and a half stars.

I got this on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a quick and reflective story about how some people can demand something from you, and will only want to be around you when they have it their way, and how it affects us. It can be hard to feel like we have to please everyone all the time, and I loved the ending!

First, the illustrations in this book are so captivating. Done entirely in shade of black and white, with red accents, the images are striking and there are beautiful hidden images within the illustrations.

This is a meaningful story about bear, who is a talented pianist. Bear is loved by the entire forest and all of its creatures, but at the end of the day, bear just wants to be a bear. Bear gets angry and acts out, then feels misunderstood. That is until zebra comes along and is a different type of friend, one that doesn't pressure bear to play piano for them. At the end, bear understands that someone can have personal needs which must be met as well.

This book offers a fantastic opportunity to have an open conversation about feelings, empathy, and noticing others needs. This would be a wonderful addition to any classroom or home library.

#SEL #socialemotionallearning #boudaries #solitude #personalneeds #empathy

A beautifully written and extraordinarily illustrated book about the pressure to preform and the anxiety surrounding sitting limits.

Overall, this was a very good book and I would recommend it to others. The dark images pair well with the storyline, even though I am normally not a fan of such dark illustrations in a children's book. As one who often feels pressure from others and want some time alone, I felt as if this book provided a very meaningful message, and would be wonderful to read in schools and for those who work with children. Throughout the book I related to bear, and I think that many will relate as well. However, I did feel that the ending was short and abrupt, leading me to want for a stronger ending. I feel as if the ending could have been done better, and not so vague. Even with the difference of opinion on the ending, I would recommend this book to others.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Bear is an accomplished pianist, and all the animals love to hear him play. But, sometimes he wants to take a break, and that's a little hard to do when his adoring public is clamoring for more.

What's a bear gotta do to get a little peace and quiet?

A lovely and contemplative story, complimented by the amazing illustrations by Jeska Verstegen.

This book has my whole heart. I know this is a children’s book, but I felt like it was written for me - someone who struggles with people pleasing and often reaching burnout. The theme can be applied to anyone, not just children. What a beautifully done book, with stunning illustrations. I will add this one to my library for sure.

Thank you publisher, author, and Netgalley for the free ARC. This was a sweet book. I thought that the illustrations were very pretty. I liked the premise of the story, however, I felt that the story ended very abruptly. I think the lesson of needing a break and also needing someone to support you very important for kids to learn, the story could’ve gone a little bit deeper.

The black, white, and red illustrations are beautiful and striking, and I appreciate the message about how important it is to respect other people's boundaries, instead of demanding too much from them. However, the ending of this picture book feels very abrupt, and the story doesn't feel complete.

Bear plays the piano beautifully. But unfortunately, this means that even when he does not want to play anymore, needing to take a break, the other animals refused to let him stop. They try to bully him into continuing to play for their entertainment.

Tired of their demands, Bear decides that he wants to be alone. It is when Zebra - who offers him the opportunity to rest, and listen to a story being read to him - who seems to understand that Bear just needs a break.

And because of this, Bear realises that Zebra is not like the others, and that he has finally found a true friend.

This is a beautiful little story with well-drawn illustrations that gets across a hugely important message. It is about the importance of taking time to recharge, and also recognising that it is those who really have your best interests at heart who are your true friends.

It will teach children early and important lessons about self care, empathy, and friendship. Highly recommended.

A beautiful children's story about the pressure to perform and finding support in a true friend. When a bear who plays piano is pressured to perform he decides to take a break and then meets a new friend. This was a really cute read and it has such a nice message. The artwork was fantastic and I think that this is would make a great read!

*Thanks Netgalley and Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Bear Is Never Alone by Marc Veerkamp and illustrated by Jeska Verstegen is a lovely picture book about respecting personal boundaries.

When Bear plays the piano, he does so beautifully, and his animal friends demand more and more, never wanting the music to end. But Bear is tired and wants to be left alone to relax and reflect. Only Zebra recognizes Bear's need for solitude, and respects his wishes to be still with his own thoughts.

This is a charming story with a beautiful and important message, teaching children to become more empathetuc to the needs of others. Recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company for an ARC.