Storytime & Activity Kit: Where Is Bina Bear? by Mike Curato
Where is Bina Bear? by Mike Curato
On Sale Now
Ages 4-8
In Mike Curato’s funny, poignant picture book Where Is Bina Bear?, a little rabbit throws a party—but can’t find best friend Bina Bear anywhere!
Tiny is having a party, but Bina Bear is nowhere to be found. Is that Bina hiding under a lampshade? It looks like Bina . . . but it must be a lamp. Is that Bina beneath the fruit bowl? It could be . . . but it’s probably just a table.
Searching for Bina, Tiny realizes something is wrong—and sets out to make it right. This is a humorous yet sincere picture book about friendship, understanding, and embracing our loved ones just as they are.
Watch the Where is Bina Bear? book trailer here:
Where is Bina Bear?
Praise for Where is Bina Bear?:
★ “As always, Curato handles the theme of acceptance with empathy and a gently comic touch: the crisply rendered ink, watercolor, and pencil illustrations have a visual directness that appreciates the reality of Bina’s needs, as shown through her masking attempts. It’s a tender tribute to both lone wolves (er, bears) and the beings who love them.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Anyone who has ever eschewed the cacophony of raucous social events for a darkened bedroom will instantly relate to the bear’s emotional honesty. Curato’s simple ink, colored pencil, and watercolor illustrations help bring a gentle pathos to Bina’s predicament. Even the most outgoing child will learn to empathize with those that don’t have fun in crowds. Tiny’s gender is unspecified. Imbued with understanding and overt silliness; a quietly chucklesome affirmation of introverts.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Inclusion and representation are always present in Curato’s thoughtful picture books, and this story is a sweet, sincere, and playful approach to discussing shyness. And while Curato is constantly expanding and evolving stylistically as an artist—leaning here toward a more bubbly, purple-and-yellow, color-popping cartoonishness than in his earlier, more realistic work—the heart of his books remains consistently warm. He has created the same gorgeous, intimate friendship here between Bina Bear and Tiny that Little Elliot has with Mouse in that beloved series, and the story is both a discussion piece and a giggly treat.”—Booklist
“This warm and comforting look at friendship offers meaningful insight into the value of support and acceptance.”—Horn Book
