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    Bruce’s Big Fun Day, by Ryan T. Higgins | Book Review

    Dr. Jen HarrisonBy Dr. Jen Harrison3 Mins Read Ages 0-3 Ages 4-8 Animal Books Best Kids Stories Books with Boy Characters Early Readers Humor Picture Books
    Bruces Big Fun Day by Ryan T Higgins Book Review
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    The Children’s Book Review

    Bruce’s Big Fun Day

    Written and Illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins

    Ages 3-5 | 32 Pages

    Publisher: Disney-Hyperion | ISBN: 9781368015776

    What to Expect: Easy Reader, Anthropomorphic Animals, Friendship

    Nibbs is a mouse. Bruce is a bear. Bruce is a GRUMPY bear. “Nibbs plans a BIG FUN DAY to cheer Bruce up. But Bruce does not like BIG FUN DAYS. They make him grumpy.” (7).

    In this delightful beginning reader book, readers can laugh at the trials and tribulations the two friends endure for the sake of their friendship, from breakfast in bed (that begins with spilled syrup on Bruce’s head) to a picnic (that ends with Bruce covered in ants). Of course, the story has a happy ending: although Nibbs does not succeed in cheering Bruce up, Bruce goes to bed with a smile on his face – because “Bruce likes being grumpy” (32). The quirky humor reminds readers that friends don’t always have to agree about everything.

    Bruce's Big Fun Day Illustration

    For readers already familiar with the Mother Bruce picture books, this new easy reader-addition to the Bruce cannon will be a very welcome next step. Just like the picture book series, Bruce’s Big Fun Day deploys Higgins’ quirky sense of humor and wonderfully vivid, detailed illustrations to draw readers into the narrative. The text has been carefully composed to emphasize key sight words and phonemes in easy, repetitive sentence-structure patterns that do no in any way compromise engagement with the story. Designed to help readers transition from picture book listening to independent reading aloud, the story introduces new textual elements, such as chapters and page numbers, in a comfortingly familiar and unobtrusive way.

    Higgins has skillfully achieved something very difficult: an easy-reader text with a story that young readers are sure to enjoy.

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    Ryan T. Higgins

    About the Author

    Ryan T. Higgins is the author and illustrator of the #1 New York Times best-selling We Don’t Eat Our Classmates; the New York Times best-selling Mother Bruce, which received the E. B. White Read Aloud Award and the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor; Hotel Bruce; BE QUIET!; Bruce’s Big Move; and others. He lives in Maine with his wife and kids and a menagerie of pets.

    Bruce’s Big Fun Day, written by Ryan T. Higgins, was reviewed by Dr. Jen Harrison. Discover more books like Bruce’s Big Fun Day by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Bruce Books, Adventure, and Humorous Books.

    What to Read Next:

    1. Who Is the Mystery Reader?, by Mo Willems | Book Review
    2. What About Worms!? by Ryan T. Higgins | Book Review
    3. Poe Won’t Go, by Kelly DiPucchio | Speed Interview
    4. Bad Kitty Takes the Test, by Nick Bruel | Book Review

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Adventure Bear Books Beginning Readers Bruce Books Disney-Hyperion featured Humorous Books Hyperion Books for Children Ryan T. Higgins
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    Dr. Jen Harrison
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    Dr. Jen Harrison provides writing and research services as the CEO of Read.Write.Perfect. She completed her Ph.D. in Children’s and Victorian Literature at Aberystwyth University in Wales, in the UK. After a brief spell in administration, Jen then trained as a secondary school English teacher and worked for several years teaching Secondary School English, working independently as a private tutor of English, and working in nursery and primary schools. She has been an editor for the peer-reviewed journal of children’s literature, Jeunesse, and has published academic work on children’s non-fiction, YA speculative fiction, and the posthuman.

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