Picture Book Review: Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Title: Mother Bruce

Author: Ryan T. Higgins 

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Publication Date: November 24, 2015

Length: 44 pages

Source: Borrowed

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Literary Awards:
E.B. White Read-Aloud Award
Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor
Monarch Award Nominee (2018)

Synopsis:

Bruce the bear likes to keep to himself. That, and eat eggs. But when his hard-boiled goose eggs turn out to be real, live goslings, he starts to lose his appetite. And even worse, the goslings are convinced he's their mother. Bruce tries to get the geese to go south, but he can't seem to rid himself of his new companions. What's a bear to do?

My Thoughts: 

Bruce is a grumpy loner bear who doesn't really like anything with the only exception being eggs. He'd scour the internet for new recipes to cook them in. One day, he came across a recipe that called for goose eggs so he went 'shopping', brought his eggs home and put them on the stove to cook. But his eggs hatched and Bruce soon had four goslings following him around and calling him 'Mama!' 

This book was funny. The images of Bruce the bear using a computer, walking through the woods with a shopping cart, and wearing an apron and chef's hat were just great! The struggles of Bruce dealing with four 'children' was also a hoot. We follow Bruce as he raises these goslings from hatchlings up to 'teenagers', all the while trying everything he can to get rid of them. In the end, the realizes that he's grown attached though. 

I think kids and adults alike will enjoy laughing together over this quirky little book.