This was another cute book by Clay Carmichael about a little girl's teddy bear. Another super sweet story about friendship and what makes a family. I think this would be a good read-aloud book for a class, or an independent reader for a child in Kindergarten or first grade who is reading above grade level.
Reading Level: 2.6 Interest Level: K-3 ( )

The somewhat insecure ursine hero of Clay Carmichael's Bear at the Beach and Used-Up Bear returns in this third adventure, waking up one day to find that his human companion, Clara, is missing. Searching high and low, but unable to locate her, Bear eventually enlists the aid of an abandoned bunny and a stray cat who believes (or pretends to believe) that it is better to be on one's own. Bear knows better, of course, continuing his search, and eventually the cat knows better as well...

Anyone who read Carmichael's middle-grade novel, Wild Things, and fell in love with the stray cat, Mr. C'Mere, will instantly recognize the feline character in Lonesome Bear. I understand that the author/artist used her own cat as a model for Mr. C'Mere, and it would appear that she had done so before! Just as with the two previous installments of Bear's adventures, this was a rather melancholy book - the scene in which Bear speaks longingly of Clara's love for him, the bunny mentions the lost love of his boy, and the cat reflects on the fact that no one loves him (!), is particularly sad - although the conclusion offers a satisfactorily happy resolution.

With a gentle tale of love and reassurance, and charming watercolor illustrations, this little book would be an ideal selection for the young reader who feels a little lost, and wonders whether or not she is truly loved. Now, if only Clay Carmichael would create more of these charming picture-books - three is not enough! ( )