An unconventional bear nurtures extraordinary dreams in this fanciful children’s debut by Keyes. Finn is not your ordinary bear; he may sound and smell like one, but, unlike his peers, he prefers very un-bear-like activities. While his friends fish, eat honey, and pick berries, Finn spends his time devouring chocolate bars and painting dazzling pictures with berry juice. And, when his school teacher asks what he wants to be when he grows up, Finn’s answer is decidedly offbeat: “I want to be the Easter Bunny” he declares. After all, he would rather hide fish than eat them, and his painting skills are out of this world—all very important talents for an Easter bunny.

Of course, Finn’s dream nets him some nasty feedback from his friends, who are convinced he’ll never make it: “Bears can’t be the Easter Bunny. It just isn’t done” they tease. But Finn won’t be deterred, and, with the loving support of his parents, he sets about honing his hare skills so he can pass the daunting Easter Bunny Exam. Given his towering physique compared to other Easter bunnies, Finn has his work cut out for him—and spends his winter practicing essential Easter bunny abilities, like basket weaving and dainty hopping. Where he truly shines, though, is in his eye-popping Easter egg designs, when he transforms “plain, boring eggs into something magical.”

Maris evokes the perfect whimsy with delicate watercolor illustrations that showcase the animals’ expressive eyes and the story’s intricate backgrounds—especially Finn’s splendorous renderings of colorful Easter eggs. Younger readers will be entertained by the smaller, humorous details, like Finn’s creative new jellybean flavor, Honey-Salmon Surprise. The ending is satisfyingly happy, allowing Finn his moment in the spotlight while recreating the Easter bunny standard in a fun, engaging way. This is a delightful holiday treat with a noteworthy message.

Takeaway: An unusual bear chases big dreams in this charming Easter tale.

Comparable Titles: Lily Jacobs’s The Littlest Bunny in North Carolina, Jacqueline Woodson’s The Day You Begin.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A