This review is done by my Children’s Picture Book Specialist, Pat Koelmel:
Not every sequel, be it a sequel to a movie or a book, can live up to its original. Well, in the case of Hotel Bruce, a picture book for ages 5-8 by author-illustrator Ryan T. Higgins and sequel to the fabulously popular Mother Bruce (had I reviewed it, I’d have given it five shiny stars, that’s how much I loved it), it came close...real close.
Okay, so here are the bare facts about Hotel Bruce. A grumpy bear by the name of Bruce, upon migrating back north in the spring with his charges (four geese who believe him to be their mother), finds his home transformed into a hotel by three mice. What happens after that will have kids roaring with laughter. As for Bruce, well, he just plain roars. But what else would you expect from a cantankerous bear whose home has been turned upside down? By the way, if you want to know how a bear ends up the mother of four geese, pick up Mother Bruce, recipient of the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award and the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor.
Kids will also flip over Mr. Higgins’ laugh-out loud illustrations. Detailed and colorful, each spread will give little ones plenty to look at. Bruce’s expressions alone (which range from grumpy to grumpier to grumpiest) are worth the price of admission.
So if you’re looking for someplace a little different to stay for your next vacation, check out Hotel Bruce. It’s got all the amenities.
RATING: 4 out of 5 stars
Comment: Coming soon (September 26, 2017 to be exact) is Ryan T. Higgins’ third installment in the Bruce series, Bruce’s Big Move. Other picture books by this author include Twaddleton’s Cheese, Wilfred, and Be Quiet!
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