Mother Bruce

By Ryan T. Higgins
Published in 2015

Why we chose this book:
For 2018 March Book Madness, this is up against The Water Princess.

Mom's Review

A grouchy bear reluctantly raises geese that hatch from the eggs he wanted to eat.

Somewhat reminiscent of Are You My Mother?, this more recent publication has a bear who gets his recipes form the internet and "supports" local businesses. When the bear, Bruce, tries to hard-boil some eggs, he inadvertently hatches them. The babies believe he is their mother, and he adopts the role. Comfortably predictable, Mother Bruce combines silliness and cuteness for a fun read.

Son's Review
(age 3 years)

While reading:
Mom, reading: He's a grump.

Son: What does that mean?

Mom: He's not very happy about things.

Mom: Do you think those bees are happy? What did he do to their beehive?

Son: No...took all the honey.

Son: Why does that one say, "Yuck!"?

Mom: That gosling doesn't like what Bruce is feeding him.

After reading:
Son, pointing to the final page: What does that one say?

Mom: "Mama." What do you think is going to happen in the next story?

Son: I don't know.

Mom: Well, what animal is this? And what is this one? And what is the turtle saying?

Son: A turtle...a goose... "Mama." The next book's going to be about a goose and a turtle.

Mom: Was this a silly book?

Son, laughing: Yeah!