Incredibly Fast and Not at All Fun

Bentley takes readers on a thrilling, alliterative ride in this dryly comedic story about a reticent bear who becomes the unwitting inventor of the world’s first roller coaster. Seeking an efficient, crowd-avoiding route from his cliffside home to his beehives on the other side of the valley, Bear creates a fast, twisty rail system he dubs “the Honey Runner.” To the protagonist’s immense surprise and despite his warnings, other creatures clamor for repeated rides. When signs (“definitely not fun”) fail to dissuade the masses, the accidental designer implements modifications, yielding transport “so stomach-twaddlingly uncomfortable that surely no sane critter would ride it, and Bear would finally be left in peace.” After the effort backfires and Bear moves to a new home, closing pages suggest the character may not be done with inadvertent diversions. Rendered in warm tones, thinly lined digital illustrations infuse forest scenes with golden rays as the animals’ eager, googly-eyed glee contrasts with Bear’s quizzical expressions. Bear’s fantastic forest attraction propels this amusing book to sensational heights. Ages 4–8. (June)