Mother Bruce, by Ryan T. Higgins, is not just another ‘are you my mother’ books. It is an hilarious story, wonderfully illustrated and with a lovely twist.
Bruce is a grumpy bear who has a passion and an appetite for eggs. He searches recipes on the internet to find new ways to prepare them. When he comes across a recipe for hard-boiled goose eggs drizzled with a honey salmon sauce, he goes out to get the ingredients. But before he can cook the eggs (his stove was out of wood) the eggs hatch and immediately imprint on Bruce.
He tries to return the goslings to their mother but she has flown south for the winter. Bruce tries everything to rid himself of the young geese to no avail. In the process we watch Bruce slip unwillingly into his role as “Mama.” This doesn’t mean he forgoes his grumpiness, it just becomes more focused.
The Gosling grow into geese and the following fall Bruce notices flocks of geese flying south. He tries to teach, convince, assist ‘his’ geese to migrate with their brethren, again to no avail. The solution Bruce comes up with is brilliant.
The artwork is beautiful. Ink and wash and digital texturing (I don’t know that this is the actual technique, I’m just hazarding a guess) gives it an almost retro feel. Bruce is adequately grumpy and lovable at the same time. And look at those goslings! don’t you want two or three running around your studio or study?
This is a story of reluctant responsibility and succumbing to the cards you have been dealt—in the best of ways. I love Bruce and I hope we have more books about him in the future.
Oh my, Kevan, this book looks absolutely adorable! Thanks for posting about it, I must go find a copy!
OH WOW!
I’m gonna get it!
I love this book!!!!!
Love these illustrations! Thanks, Kevan. Gotta check this one out.
This book DOES sound unique- and in a great way! I’m looking forward to seeing it. The illustrations look amazing, as well. Thanks for sharing!
This book is great and the illustrations are gorgeous! Looking forward to Hotel Bruce!
An absolute favorite of ours! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!
Bruce’s expressions are priceless!
Adorable! I believe that kids and adults reading to them will love it. I love it! The illustrations are perfect to a very funny story.
One of our favorites too! We happen to have lots of plumpish little goslings in our ponds now – but no sign of Bruce!
What an adorable book! It reminds me of The Wild Robot that I am reading right now by Peter Brown, except the mama is a robot. Can’t wait to read Mother Bruce!
This book is so funny–loved it too, Kevan! Looking forward to its sequel in October, Hotel Bruce!
Great choice – I loved this book when I read it, too.
This is my kind of humor!
Love this book! There’s a sequel coming out later this year. Woo!!!
HOTEL BRUCE comes out in October. 🙂
His monobrow is priceless. Can’t wait to get a copy!
This one is absolutely going on my shelf (and my grandson’s)!
Ryan hooked me with the gosling front pack!!
. . . the aviator gear and slingshot was pretty darn cute, too!!
That last illustration with 4 little Baby bjorns is just THE BEST!
Can’t wait to get it. Thanks so much.
I love the illustrations and the sweet story!
Ha! Love him slingshotting the goose! Can’t wait to see it, thanks so much for the recomendation!
This looks completely adorable, and the art fabulous. Thanks for sharing about this book, Kevan!