George wasn't like his siblings, or any of the other bears. Not content to spend his days eating and playing, he often wondered if there wasn't something more to life. Then one day he found a book beneath a tree, and deciding that he must simply learn how to read it, he headed to town. Unfortunately for him, humans were afraid of grizzly bears, so George's advent in town was greeted with chaotic scenes and panicked people. Surrounded by police, George only wanted to find someone who could help him learn to read! Then a little girl named Clementine entered the picture...

Bears Don't Read! is an absolute delight of a picture-book, pairing a heartwarming tale of a bear who just doesn't fit the conventional ursine mold, with appealingly quirky illustrations that capture George's many emotional states perfectly. As a bibliophile myself, I entered into George's feelings about learning to read wholeheartedly, and sympathized with his predicament when confronted with a panicking human population. Of course, that sympathy did not prevent me from finding the whole production quite amusing! Emma Chichester Clark manages to create a hero and a story that are simultaneously endearing and entertaining, and her artwork is simply adorable! Recommended to all young children who sometimes feel out of step with those around them, as well as to all youngsters who are eager to learn how to read. ( )