This is seriously my most anticipated read of 2019...

AND IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT.

I just have to laugh at the reviewers giving this a low rating because the bear is a bad example to kids. Children's literature is full of bad examples for kids (The Cat in the Hat, Max from Where the Wild Things Are, Curious George, I could go on and on). Not every children's book is a morality tale. Sometimes we just need a good laugh.

Still, this is a great book to start a discussion about social and emotional issues. It's pretty clear that the bear peed his pants and is so embarrassed about it so he lashes out irrationally. (Some reviewers are saying they don't understand how the bear's pants got wet, but come on, people! He drinks a ton, walks by a waterfall, and falls asleep with his paw in a fish tank. Pretty big clues there.) Who can say they have never acted badly because they were embarrassed? I feel like it happens to everyone and it's good to talk about it.

My husband read this to our five-year-old in a hilarious loud and indignant voice and we all laughed so hard we almost caused our pants to become dysfunctional. ( )

Not one of the better Bob Shea books. Bear just brought everyone donuts. He and everyone else notice his wet pants and the bear goes about blaming every one of his friends for the accident. The illustrations are great, but I just didn’t like this book. It’s supposed to help kids know it’s okay if you have an accident, and while that is in the book, the bear’s anger was more prevalent. I understand why so many love it, but this was a no for me. ( )

3.5 stars. I really enjoyed it and the artwork was wonderful, but I felt the end was a little lacking. ( )

J'accuse! Someone has wet Reuben's pants, and he's going to withhold the doughnuts he has brought to camp until someone confesses. (Perhaps they got wet when he sat down in that river called "da Nile?") Humorous, ridiculous, and fun to read out loud. ( )

just what the title says ... ( )