Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend

K-Gr 2–In a story that takes place entirely in dialogue and assigns no genders to the main characters, a turtle wearing a bear suit tries hard to be bearlike but ultimately decides that being a turtle will do. Bearsuit Turtle meets another turtle and tries to convince it of this new identity. Climbing a tree? Naturally! There are a few mishaps, but once Bearsuit cops to the con, the new friends find fun things to do together, including splashing around in a pond. The laugh-out-loud humor may not come for some children, but others will find this book hilarious. Some of the funniest bits are at the back of the book, where bear facts include what to do if you encounter a bear (different for grizzly and black bears) as well as “If you see a bear wearing overalls and playing the banjo, clap along and dance.” Fans of Shea’s other books (Chez Bob, etc.) will recognize the creator’s signature colorful style which is simultaneously childlike and sophisticated.