Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

This is exactly what early chapter books should be: funny enough to keep kids turning pages, meaningful enough to teach something about friendship and patience, and perfectly calibrated for the reading stamina of 6-8 year olds.

The premise is simple but effective—a bear wakes up from hibernation early and tries to make friends with her terrible neighbor. Rabbit is selfish, insulting, and eats his own poop (which, yes, is what rabbits actually do, and kids find this HILARIOUS). Bear is patient and kind without being a doormat. Their friendship develops naturally through shared adventures.

The illustrations are charming, the humor lands, and the Benjamin Franklin Gold Award isn't just participation trophy stuff—this book earned its accolades. If your kid is ready to graduate from picture books but not quite ready for full-text chapter books, this series is a winner. And bonus: later books sneak in environmental themes without being preachy.

Solid, funny, well-crafted early reader that kids actually want to read. That's the whole ballgame.

Age Fit

Ideal for ages 6-9, especially kids transitioning from picture books to chapter books. The humor, illustrations, and short chapters work perfectly for that 'I can read a real book!' stage. Older kids might enjoy it as a read-aloud with younger siblings, but it's solidly aimed at early elementary.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

88

Models the formation of an unlikely friendship between two very different personalities—a grumpy, selfish Rabbit and a cheerful, patient Bear. The conflict is age-appropriate (snowman building competition, food stealing) and resolves through cooperation. The humor comes from character quirks rather than meanness, though Rabbit's 'bad habits' (poop-eating, thievery, calling Bear dumb) provide realistic friction that gets worked through.

Imaginative

75

The premise of a hibernating bear waking early and befriending a difficult rabbit offers a fresh twist on animal friendship stories. Julian Gough explicitly aimed to 'mash up Winnie the Pooh and David Attenborough,' blending classic comfort with natural-world accuracy. The illustrations break up text appealingly, and the series includes creative scenarios (avalanches, fake lakes, hungry wolves). Not groundbreaking, but charming and inventive enough to stand out in the crowded early chapter book space.

Safe

95

Completely safe for the target age range. The 'bad habits' referenced are child-friendly (Rabbit eats poop, which is biologically accurate for rabbits and likely hilarious to 6-8 year olds). No violence beyond mild peril (wolves, avalanches handled comedically), no inappropriate content. The conflict is social/emotional, not scary. IBPA Benjamin Franklin Gold Winner signals quality vetting. Books are inherently low-risk media.

Enriching

82

Strong social-emotional learning around friendship formation, patience with difficult personalities, and looking past first impressions. Later books in the series tackle environmental themes (caring for nature in 'This Lake is Fake'). The natural history elements (hibernation, rabbit behavior) sneak in science facts. Perfect bridge from picture books to chapter books, building reading stamina. The humor keeps kids engaged while delivering meaningful messages about accepting differences and cooperation.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely funny—kids crack up at Rabbit's bad habits (yes, rabbits really do eat their own poop, and yes, this is comedy gold for 7-year-olds)
Models how friendships form even when personalities clash, with Bear's patience slowly winning over selfish Rabbit
Perfect bridge from picture books to chapter books—illustrations break up text just right for emerging readers
Won the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Gold Award and made Kirkus's Best Middle-Grade list for good reason
Part of a series, so if your kid loves it, there's more (later books tackle environmental themes too)

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What to Watch For

Rabbit is genuinely kind of a jerk at first—calls Bear stupid, steals food, acts selfishly—which is the point, but sensitive kids might need reassurance that he improves
The poop-eating thing is biologically accurate but might gross out adults more than kids
Some mild peril (avalanches, wolves) handled comedically, not scary

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Rabbit acts so grumpy? Have you ever felt grumpy like that?"
"Bear is really patient with Rabbit even when he's mean. When is it worth being patient with someone, and when should you walk away?"
"What do you think makes someone a good friend? Is Rabbit a good friend by the end?"
"The book mentions rabbits eat their own poop—why do you think some animals do that? (Spoiler: it helps them digest their food better!)"

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