An Unlikely Pair

Molly and the Bear #1

by Bob Scott, Vicki Scott

Based on the beloved comic strip “Bear with Me” by Bob Scott, this lighthearted odd couple middle grade graphic novel is about a girl and her very best an 800-pound scaredy-bear!

When Bear wanders into eleven-year-old Molly’s life, she knows she’s just met her new bestie. Loyal, sweet, inquisitive—and terrified of almost everything—Bear makes a great new friend. And he’s not scary at all! But try telling that to the rest of the world.

Molly eventually convinces her mom and dad to let Bear stay with them, but showing everyone else that Bear isn’t dangerous (not to mention assuring Bear that he isn’t in constant danger!) is going to take some work. Lucky for Bear, Molly doesn’t give up easily.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Animals, Humor, Comics, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens

240 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2024

Reviews

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated, this heartwarming graphic novel
Is a must read for stories that celebrates an unlikely friendship, and accepting those different form you as friends.

[D.T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork is really charming in this slice-of-life story about a girl befriending an anxious bear. Some of Bear’s constant anxieties get repetitive. There are low stakes in this lighthearted tale, and it’s easy to read in one sitting.

Also, the story has a retro vibe, but there are modern cellphones and texting too.

While I thought this was cute, I found it forgettable. I would be open to reading book two, though.

[Kayla Zabcia · Rating 2 out of 5]

50%

I can kind of see where the author was going with this: the usage of early comic art style, the over simplistic language and situations - it felt like the author was trying to make a time capsule that looked like it was from 50 or so years ago.

Unfortunately, it just didn't hit. Maybe those style comics are only good because of the nostalgic lens we view them through ('ah, when times were simpler!'), or maybe the author added a few too many modernisms in an attempt to appeal to younger audiences, or maybe it's a combination of the two, or something else I can't quite put my finger on. Whatever it was, this book just doesn't break the two-star mark for me.

[Megan Bergman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 7 & 8 year old laughed and giggled throughout this entire book. Fun read aloud! Can’t wait to read the 2nd book!

[Lila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel is packed full of laughs, charm, and heart! I instantly fell in love with Bear - his anxiety is both so funny and so relatable! And Molly is absolutely adorable and incredibly sweet. And I loved that she was so expressive and allowed to get angry! The ending (I won't spoil it!) was so heartfelt. You have to read it! I would have loved this book as an eleven-year-old girl. Highly recommend to any and all kids (and adults! And bears!).

[Jaimes_Mystical_Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute middle grade graphic novel. I loved following Molly and Bear in this story and I loved the illustrations throughout the book.

[Kelly {SpaceOnTheBookcase] · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Molly gets left home alone for the first time a brown bear named Bear breaks in when he smells cookies. Afraid of his own shadow, Bear asked Molly for help. They quickly form a friendship that has Molly hiding Bear in various funny situations until school starts and Bear wants to come. A commotion is caused but Bear is allowed to stay. Molly eventually tells her parents. When a former friend of Molly's lashes out, their friendship is tested.

The book presents anxiety and fear in an age appropriate way using funny illustrations and scenarios throughout the book. It also touches on bullying and how to solve conflicts with friends by understanding their point of view. It's a funny book with strong themes that are great for all ages. The graphic novel approach will definitely make it more enticing for middle grader readers.

Thank you Simon Kids for the gifted copy.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed Bob Scott’s hilarious Molly and the Bear comic strip for years. This graphic novel is a wonderful adaptation of that comic! Co-written with Bob’s wife, Peanut’s graphic novel writer and artist Vicki Scott (It’s Tokyo, Charlie Brown), the characters get to go places the strip doesn’t. We get to see Molly’s school, neighborhood, teacher and friends. It is fun to see these characters in a long form narrative. Action packed, funny and compelling! While the strip is definitely all ages and family friendly the book is skewed a little bit younger for its middle grade audience. My classroom loves it and it has been passed around and reread a number of times. We are already looking forward to Molly and the Bear Book 2!!

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used to follow Scott's Molly and the Bear comic strip, but it lost a lot of humor and charm as a long-form graphic novel. Much of the book is spent on Molly's trying to hide Bear from her parents. I didn't find this part cute or funny. There's a decent lesson on how to handle bullies near the end of the book which adults and educators will appreciate. Maybe kids will enjoy this one more than I, but on the whole I found it pretty tedious.

Thanks to NetGalley and Aladdin for letting me take this one for a spin.

[Michael Polvani · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK…..if you like Peanuts, Calvin & Hobbes, The Wizard of Id, Dennis the Menace, Beetle Bailey, B.C., Mutts, Blondie, Garfield, The Far Side and Pogo, I have a strong feeling that you will like Molly and the Bear, as this new comic fits RIGHT in with the spirit of ALL those mentioned. Fun and easy to read as well as easy on the eyes!!! Very appealing art as Bob & Vicki Scott are veterans from the Cartoon world. ENJOY this fresh new cast of characters that are keeping the classic comic strip alive!!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

D.T.'s review is almost exactly the same as mine. I looked harder for more depth or resonance and decided I like the theme about being friends with someone different... but is it really there? Consider how the girls are so excited with their new popularity at school, based on the superficiality of being friends with Bear....

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fellow lover of bears, this was a cute premise! A scaredy-bear befriends a little girl and they become fast friends - convincing the parents to let him stay in the house and then convincing the principal to let him come to school. Classic simple animation style, which I liked.

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars = Great!

This is so sweet and cute and funny! I loved the frank acknowledgement of feelings, especially fear and anxiety. I would love to see more books with these characters! Highly recommend.

[Debra Covell · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I closed this book, my first thought was - “Wow, that was dumb.” Also, it’s distracting when an author uses the same phrase over and over again and multiple characters in this book say “wigged out” repeatedly.

[Jason Lethcoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bob and Vicki Scott continue to wow with their gentle humor and beautiful, hand inked art. This series delivers on all levels, for children and adults. I’m addicted! The world needs more Molly and the Bear.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute, funny comic. It feels very much like a classic Sunday Funny type comic, from the design to the type of humor. But the SEL themes are definitely updated. Very fun.

[Dolores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute.

[Mary T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. I read it aloud to my 5yo and 6yo sons.

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and funny. 😁

[Ashley Healey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great Stone Face Nominee 25-26.
Not for me (granted I’m not the target audience), but will likely be a hit with our 4th graders.

[Catharine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simplistic. It didn't feel like a cohesive story, more like bits and pieces stitched together.

[Lila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel is packed full of laughs, charm, and heart! I instantly fell in love with Bear - his anxiety is both so funny and so relatable! And Molly is absolutely adorable and incredibly sweet. And I loved that she was so expressive and allowed to get angry! The ending (I won't spoil it!) was so heartfelt. You have to read it! I would have loved this book as an eleven-year-old girl. Highly recommend to any and all kids (and adults! And bears!).

[Rebecca Morrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute graphic novel for younger readers. Molly and Bear was an unexpected read with the very strange premise that my 5th grade class didn't quite get the point of. Conflicts seemed forced and resolved strangely. I can see kids liking it, but based on the classroom's reaction, I don't think it's a 5th grade book.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

When 11 year old Molly's leave her home alone briefly to go crusing in their classic car, she is glad to be home alone. She texts with her best friend, but eventually has a big surprise-- a bear has come in through the kitchen window and eaten all of her mother's cookies! The bear is more frightened of Molly than Molly is of the bear, so Molly talks to Bear and gets him to calm down. She's always wanted a pet, and what better pet than an 800 pound bear? She spends a delightful summer with her new friend, hiding him from her parents. Eventually, it's time to go back to school. Everyone loves the new addition to the school, and even her teacher and the principal don't mind having the bear around. Someone who does mind is Max, a good friend of Molly's, who yells at her for breaking the rules. Molly is hurt and confused, since the school year had been going so well. Eventually, she lets her parents know about Bear, and even makes peace with Max.

I loved the style of the illustrations. They have a very mid century feel to them, and the father has a sort of George Jetson vibe. It's a bit goofy, but fun. I can see this being popular with a wide range of readers because of the mix of bright pictures, large text, and age appropriate coping skills.

This book is based on the comic strip by Bob Scott, and has a lot of good information about dealing with anxiety and fears, which will make it popular with readers who enjoyed graphic novels like Libenson's Invisible Emmie, Scrivan's Nat Enough, and Vivat's Frazzled.

[clasyone · Rating 4 out of 5]

2025-2026 Great Stone Face nominee.
This is a cute graphic novel that is sure to get a lot of attention from students. While it can't compare to a few of the other nominees, it serves its purpose, and as long as kids are reading, I'm a happy librarian.
Short, simple fluff of a book.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious! I love this book!