Wolff follows Baby Bear Sees Blue with a counting-themed sequel built around tender mother-child exchanges. Winter is approaching, but Baby Bear still has curiosities that need to be satisfied, especially with so many strange noises around him. A “Whap! Whap! Whap!” signals three beavers “gathering twigs before winter comes” and “gobble” sounds belong to six gloriously feathered turkeys seen feasting on bunches of deep purple grapes. Wolff devotes two spreads to nearly every number, creating a leisurely pace and giving children and parents time to count the creatures while examining the many secondary details packed into each woodland scene. Ages 2–6. (Sept.)
"Baby Bear and his Mama are in their den when—“Thockthockthockthockthock!”—they hear one woodpecker outside preparing for winter by collecting beetles. The pair goes out to investigate, and they encounter other sounds of animals getting ready for colder weather.... The story progresses cozily in a pattern that quickly becomes recognizable to listeners.... The linocut illustrations tinted with watercolor are strikingly realistic and lavish in their detailed, dramatic lining and rich, earthy coloring. The comfy, easy-to-follow text and vivid pictures will make this a snug bedtime story or a feel-good selection for an autumnal storytime."
October 2013 The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"The curious young bear from Baby Bear Sees Blue (rev. 3/12) is once again exploring his world with his mother, and in this multiple-concept book (counting/animal sounds/seasons) he learns that, in preparation for winter, woodpeckers hunt for beetles, squirrels gather acorns, deer and crows munch on sweet corn, etc.... Wolff’s art (hand-colored linoleum blocks) is glorious, capturing the withered cornstalks, brown leaves, and fallen apples of late autumn while also conveying the busyness and vibrancy of the season...the loving bond between Baby Bear and his mama is as secure and comforting as ever, with the cozy ending seeing the two curled up together in their den as the first snowflakes of winter fall, “too many to count.”"
September-October 2013 Horn Book Magazine
This follow-up to Baby Bear Sees Blue (2012) finds Mama and her cub on the cusp of winter.... As with the first book, Wolff gently introduces the natural world and seasons to toddlers, who will find plenty to explore in the double-page spreads, as frogs leap into ponds, and birds perch in tree branches. The linoleum block illustrations, hand colored with watercolor, present fall in all its spectacular glory, and the warmth between Mama and her child shines through. Ideal for both one-on-one and group sharing."
"Baby Bear and his Mama are in their den when—“Thockthockthockthockthock!”—they hear one woodpecker outside preparing for winter by collecting beetles. The pair goes out to investigate, and they encounter other sounds of animals getting ready for colder weather.... The story progresses cozily in a pattern that quickly becomes recognizable to listeners.... The linocut illustrations tinted with watercolor are strikingly realistic and lavish in their detailed, dramatic lining and rich, earthy coloring. The comfy, easy-to-follow text and vivid pictures will make this a snug bedtime story or a feel-good selection for an autumnal storytime."
October 2013 The Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books
"Baby Bear and his Mama are in their den when—“Thockthockthockthockthock!”—they hear one woodpecker outside preparing for winter by collecting beetles. The pair goes out to investigate, and they encounter other sounds of animals getting ready for colder weather.... The story progresses cozily in a pattern that quickly becomes recognizable to listeners.... The linocut illustrations tinted with watercolor are strikingly realistic and lavish in their detailed, dramatic lining and rich, earthy coloring. The comfy, easy-to-follow text and vivid pictures will make this a snug bedtime story or a feel-good selection for an autumnal storytime."
October 2013 The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"First seen in Baby Bear Sees Blue (S & S, 2012), the curious cub returns in this fall-themed counting book.... Wolff’s stunning linoleum block and watercolor illustrations are suffused with autumn light and color, and the creatures appear to swim, fly, and jump off the pages.... Successful as a counting book, an autumnal celebration, and a cozy book to share either one-on-one or in a group, this title will be warmly welcomed in all libraries."
August 2013 School Library Journal
The season's turned from summer to fall since Baby Bear learned about the colors in his world (Baby Bear Sees Blue , 2012). Now, as he and Mama observe many creatures getting ready for winter, he learns to count. In every way a lovely companion to the previous tale, this also stands well on its own. Baby Bear plies Mama with incessant questions--as preschoolers will do--and his patient parent answers and instructs. With each successive question and answer, the cub counts one more than before, from one to 10. As Mama forages for roots at the pond, Baby Bear asks, "Who is clapping for us, Mama?" "Those are the beavers," responds Mama, "gathering twigs before winter comes." A page turn reveals a trio of them, gnawing brush, swimming and slapping the water with an impressive, paddlelike tail. "Baby Bear counts 3." Wolff's lush watercolors illuminate black-inked linoleum prints. Her striking compositions play with perspective and depth of field, enabling children to enjoy bird's-eye views as one woodpecker and then nine geese fly high, then higher, above Baby Bear. When the cub sprawls among wildflowers counting seven bees, readers are eye to eye at ground level, amid fallen apples, snails and a fuzzy caterpillar. Brimming with visual treasures and ending with snowflakes--"too many to count"--this joyous treat will reward both family and group sharing. (Picture book. 2-6)
