Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend

A battle of wills unfolds when a teal-colored turtle encounters a green turtle, sporting an oversize yellow bear suit, who coolly declares itself a “for-real bear.” Shea (Oh, Are You Awake?), working in a naif style that gives this two-handed story a raw, comedic immediacy, portrays the teal turtle responding quickly with an outlandish assertion of its own: “I’m a for-real bear expert, and you are NOT a for-real bear.” When arguing gets them nowhere (especially when the “bear” insists it hibernates “like five times a day”), the teal turtle takes a different tack. The “expert” declares that bears also love ice cream, riding bikes, and—displaying an impish delight that’s certain to tickle readers—playing “PUMPKIN KING! BENEVOLENT SMASHER OF PUMPKINS!” When Bearsuit Turtle suggests extending the marvelous day with a swim (“For-real bear fur gets kinda hot”), the sense of trust and friendship that’s grown between them prompts a mutual confession: neither is what they claimed to be. But that’s okay, because they also agree that being their real selves—two happy, water-loving turtles—is equally wonderful. Bear facts conclude. Ages 4–8. (Mar.)