Rabbit & Bear: The Pest in the Nest; Julian Gough, illustrated by Jim Field

Rabbit & Bear are back for their second adventure. Julian Gough has done it again with another laugh-out-loud read full of charm and warmth. Don’t worry if you haven’t read the first book as this is a stand alone story, you can always go back and read the first one after.

Rabbit is still grumpy and this time it’s all the noise that’s bothering him. All he really wants is some peace and quiet…Spring has sprung, the sun is shining and Rabbit has been rudely awoken by a terrible noise. If it isn’t Bear’s snoring then it is the pesky woodpecker with his "Bang! Bang! Bang!" from up in the tree. It seems there is no escape from the noise for Rabbit and he knows that something has to be done. But maybe there doesn’t need to be an escape from it…perhaps Bear can help Rabbit to see things differently.

The Pest in the Nest is a read that is totally relatable for any reader. We all have days when the world annoys us. It could be something as small as the continuous dripping of a tap or the builder with his jackhammer digging up the road right outside your house. As Bear teaches Rabbit though, sometimes it isn’t about changing the world around you, it is about changing how you see the world. A great read for exploring different feelings and what you can do when something makes you feel grumpy or when something is annoying you.

The characters of Rabbit and Bear are as loveable as they were in the first book. Rabbit is at his brilliant bossy best and just about everything irritates him. Bear is happy, helpful, calm and full of positivity and wanting to find solutions to problems. Though with a noisy woodpecker on the scene, Rabbit and Bear’s friendship will be put to the test.

This second instalment of Rabbit & Bear is again beautifully presented with illustrations from Jim Field that perfectly capture the different personalities and emotions of Bear, Rabbit, Woodpecker and Tortoise. Readers of the first book will be delighted to see that the setting map is again included - anyone for a visit to the Wild Fool Falls or The Cliff of a Thousand Birds? The read is easily accessible to younger readers as each page has illustrations accompanied by a small amount of text.

An ideal read for emerging readers, especially those transitioning from picture books to chapter books. The story is easy to follow and features a setting and characters that are familiar. Great for reading aloud to children of 5+ and for young confident readers to read independently.

Recommended for 5+.