That grumpy bear, Mother Bruce, is back in this amusing board book, resisting all efforts to get him to join the fun. As the counting kicks off with "1 grumpy bear," a series of animals appear, all joining the party started by the three mice (naturally). At the end of the book however, the reader still encounters "1 grumpy bear...."

Having enjoyed all eight of the large-format picture books about Bruce and his family of goslings and mice, I picked up 1 Grumpy Bruce: A Counting Book with some anticipation, sure that (if nothing else) I would appreciate author/illustrator Ryan T. Higgins' droll artwork. Happily, I can report that this is in fact the case—as always, the visuals here tickle my funny bone, as Bruce resists all efforts at getting him to be less grouchy—but I was also amused by the text itself. I don't think I've seen a counting book before that starts at 1, and ends up at 1 again, at the conclusion. That device allows Higgins to tell a little story, in a simple board book that might otherwise only be about numbers and counting. Recommended to fans of Bruce and his adventures, and to those looking for fun counting books for babies. ( )

Bruce fans will instantly recognize the curmudgeonly bear from his previous adventures in this new board book title. The counting book begins with "1 grumpy bear" showing Bruce glaring out from a bold yellow background. He's joined by "2 uninvited skunks" and then the partying mice, "helping" geese, and so on until the story arrives at a spread of light blue and a welter of animals "having fun" but, as the last page shows and says, there's still "1 grumpy bear" as Bruce glares out from his yellow background, now sprinkled with confetti.

This is funny, especially to fans, but as an actual board book for toddlers isn't quite so successful. The Bruce stories have a fair amount of irony and sarcasm, something that young children generally don't grasp. However, they will have fun counting the various animals and adults can enjoy the silly expressions and Bruce's obvious discomfort in his unplanned party.

Verdict: Purchase where Bruce is a fan favorite among parents and children.

ISBN: 9781368023634; Published October 9, 2018; Review copy provided by publisher; Purchased for the library