The Missing Pairs

When Fox tells Bear he’s lost his sock, Bear offers to help. Fox climbs aboard his tote, and off Bear treks up the hill. On the way, they encounter Hare, who is missing something of his own––his yellow mitten. He joins Fox and Bear on their journey up the ridge. By the time they reach the top, Badger has united with them, disclosing that his boot has disappeared. They discover Bear mistook “pairs” for “pears.” Undeterred, he lounges in front of a tree, indulging in a pear, while Fox, Hare, and Badger drift down the hillside and into the unexpected cause of their woes.

This is a precious book that young children between the ages of four and eight will adore and want to read multiple times. It’s written at a first or early second grade reading level, making it ideal for less practiced readers. The illustrations illuminate the pages with color and activity, even hilarity. They’re expressive and simply delightful, working in perfect harmony with the text. The characters are lovable and kind, with the exception of the mischievous thief whose identity is unknown until the end. Those who are keenly aware will find clues throughout the story, though, that’ll provide them with insight.