Book Description
for Where Is Bina Bear? by Mike Curato
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Tiny, a small white rabbit, is having a party but can’t find their friend Bina, a large purple bear. As Tiny searches, shy Bina disguises herself as assorted inanimate objects (lamp, table, bookcase, tree). “Bina? Is that you?” (“No, I am a table.”) “Where is my friend Bina? I miss her.” When Bina, posing as groceries, pulls a brown paper bag off her head and explains, one tear trickling, that she doesn’t like parties but came because she likes Tiny, Tiny shows both compassion and solidarity, donning their own lampshade alongside Bina when the other party guests burst in, searching for them both. (Nothing to see here; just a couple of floor lamps.) Uncluttered scenes with clean shapes and a simple text full of feeling showcase this friendship and distinguish a story relatable to many children. (Ages 3-6)
CCBC Choices 2023. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2023. Used with permission.