Bruce's Big Move

Bruce is a bear who lives with four geese he adopted as his children. When mice move into their home uninvited, Bruce faces mounting frustration with his living situation. Bruce decides to search for a new house, accompanied by his geese and their energy. The house-hunting process presents challenges as Bruce tries to find the right fit for his unconventional family. The story explores themes of home, family bonds, and learning to adapt to change. This picture book demonstrates how the definition of "perfect" can shift when viewed through the lens of love and togetherness.

Readers describe this picture book as a gentle, humorous story about embracing change. Parents note it works well for children dealing with moves or life transitions. Readers liked: - Continuation of Bruce's grumpy but caring personality - Detailed illustrations, especially facial expressions - Message about finding solutions to problems - Length and pacing for bedtime reading Readers disliked: - Less engaging than previous Bruce books - Some found the story predictable - A few mentioned it lacks the charm of Mother Bruce Ratings: Goodreads: 4.22/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (580+ ratings) "Perfect balance of humor for both kids and adults" notes one parent reviewer. Another mentions "My 4-year-old requests this nightly and mimics Bruce's expressions." Several teachers report success using it in classrooms for discussions about moving homes and handling change. One librarian called it "a reliable choice for storytimes about friendship and home."

Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson A witch makes space for new animal friends on her broomstick despite initial hesitation.

Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems A monster who fails at scaring others discovers friendship brings more satisfaction than fear.

Hotel Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins A grumpy bear returns home to find his house turned into a hotel by unwanted guests.

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson A mouse navigates through woods using wit to handle creatures who want to eat him.

Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins A solitary bear becomes an unexpected parent to four goslings who imprint on him.

🐻 This book is part of a beloved series featuring Bruce, a grumpy bear who became an unlikely mother to geese after their eggs accidentally hatched in his cooking pot. 🏠 The story tackles the relatable theme of moving to a new home, making it a helpful resource for families going through similar transitions with young children. ✍️ Author Ryan T. Higgins won the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award and the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor for his first book about Bruce, "Mother Bruce." 🎨 Higgins creates his illustrations digitally using Photoshop, but he starts with traditional pencil sketches to develop his characters and scenes. 🌲 The book is set in the woods of Maine, where the author himself lives, lending authentic New England woodland charm to the story's environment.