Illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton
Candlewick Press, 2014
Picture book 

Curmudgeonly Bear succumbs to Mouse’s entreaties and discovers the joy of books in a hilarious story that fans will covet for their own library.

Bear does not want to go to the library. He is quite sure he already has all the books he will ever need. Yet the relentlessly cheery Mouse, small and gray and bright-eyed, thinks different. When Bear reluctantly agrees to go with his friend to the big library, neither rocket ships nor wooden canoes are enough for Bear’s picky tastes. How will Mouse ever find the perfect book for Bear? Children will giggle themselves silly as Bear’s arguments give way to his inevitable curiosity, leading up to a satisfying story hour and a humorously just-right library book.

Kirkus Reviews
In a series of scenes both silly and gently humorous, the ever persistent Mouse works hard to persuade gruff-but-lovable bear to become a library user. … Excellent text and layout combine with friendly illustrations to set the newest generation of readers laughing at the well-worn joke of someone bellowing for quiet in the library. Team Becker and Denton has again succeeded in creating a book that keeps the attention of young readers and makes them smile. Epoch Times by Barbara Danza …Author Bonny Becker and illustrator Kady MacDonald Denton have done it again in their fifth charming and hilarious picture book featuring the chipper and optimistic little Mouse and his reluctant, set-in-his-ways friend Bear. This time around, Mouse enthusiastically cajoles the trepidatious Bear to the “big” library, even though he has all the books he needs…Melding the perfect combination of comic relief with themes of friendship and personality differences, “A Library Book for Bear” hits all the right notes as a read-aloud to share with children of any age. 

Horn Book 
The hurray-for-books message is served subtly, with the focus on Bear’s funny outbursts and un-library-like behavior. As always, Bear’s grouchiness and mouse’s joie de vivre come through in Denton’s expressive lines. This is one book to check out—over and over.