Into the Bewilderness

Gr 3-6–Readers who love quirky animal stories will gravitate toward this tale of an unlikely friendship between Luis, an effusive bear with big dreams and Pablo, a practical mole who appreciates the status quo. The pair live a quiet life in the great outdoors amongst various other woodland creatures, including a mythical behemoth, but Luis wonders what lies beyond their forest home. Opportunity strikes when he wins tickets to a show in the Big City. Pablo and Luis weather numerous setbacks on their adventure that culminates in a bitter argument, but in the way of childhood friendships, they make up easily and pick up right where they left off. Appealing, colorful artwork complements the philosophical, character-driven plot, including stunning two-page spreads that showcase the wonder of the woods and a sparkling night sky. With gentle humor, the author explores themes of curiosity, friendship, and the value of different perspectives. Backmatter includes a map at the beginning of the book and instructions for drawing the main characters at the end.