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Bob Is the Biggest, Strongest, and Smartest
A boastful bear learns how to be a good listener and friend in this endearing, funny picture book by the author of Truman.
Everyone knows that Bob is the biggest, strongest, and smartest bear in the world . . . because he tells them so, over and over again. No one can question him because Bob does all the talking. That is, until the day Bill comes along. Bill isn't big or strong, but he asks lots of questions of the creatures around him. He's interested in everyone, and soon, all the animals are so busy getting to know one another, they stop noticing poor Bob. Until--Bill does! But is Bob finally ready to have a real conversation, one that includes both talking and listening?
Everyone knows that Bob is the biggest, strongest, and smartest bear in the world . . . because he tells them so, over and over again. No one can question him because Bob does all the talking. That is, until the day Bill comes along. Bill isn't big or strong, but he asks lots of questions of the creatures around him. He's interested in everyone, and soon, all the animals are so busy getting to know one another, they stop noticing poor Bob. Until--Bill does! But is Bob finally ready to have a real conversation, one that includes both talking and listening?
32 pages, Hardcover
Published February 24, 2026
About the author
Jean Reidy
21 books85 followersJean Reidy’s bestselling and award-winning picture books have earned their spots as favorites among readers and listeners of all ages and from all over the world. She is honored to be a three-time winner of the Colorado Book Award, a Parent’s Choice Gold Award Winner, a Charlotte Zolotow Honor winner and recognized on “Best of” lists by School Library Journal, the New York Times, NPR and Amazon. Jean writes from her home in Chicago where she lives just a short walk from her neighborhood library … which she visits nearly every day.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 26, 2026
4.5 stars
One thing I love about picture books is that, when done right, they can have wonderful lessons tucked away amid the entertainment for children, yes, but also for adults. And Bob is the Biggest, Strongest, and Smartest by Jean Reidy is done right. The text is simple – only a few words on each page – and the theme of ‘how to be a good friend’ is poignant but powerful. I loved how the illustrations by Amy Jindra Hodgson extended the story beyond the text and even added to its message in subtle ways (my favorite of which is how the text immediately shows the inner contrast between Bob and Bill through their behavior even as the illustrations show their outward similarities, particularly in their clothing choices).
Bob is a blustery, boastful bear who tells anyone and everyone that he is the biggest, strongest, and smartest. No one questions this out loud… because he doesn’t give them time to do so… because he never stops talking about how he’s the best. (We all know someone who immediately popped to mind when I described Bob, don’t we? And I daresay we’ve all been Bob before at some point, with perhaps a few rare exceptions.) Enter Bill, a quiet and thoughtful badger who asks questions about the other animals he meets instead of talking about himself. These questions start conversations and develop friendships … and really get under Bob’s skin because that means no one is talking to him anymore (or, rather, listening to him talk about himself). But everything changes when Bill invests time getting to know Bob too. (I hope someone popped into your mind when I talked about Bill too! He’s so genuine – I adored him!) Oh you’re going to love what happens next when you read Bob is the Biggest, Strongest, and Smartest! It’s just such an endearing way to approach this super-important life lesson, one that many adults need even more than the kiddos do but also one that is crucial to embed in a child’s heart as early as possible.
Bottom Line: Bob is the Biggest, Strongest, and Smartest by Jean Reidy is a delightful, cartoon-bright picture book that delivers an important life lesson along with a few giggles. In gently contrasting the way self-focused Bob and others-focused Bill move through life, Reidy and Hodgson model what a good friend looks like… and what it doesn’t. I loved seeing this timeless truth – that friendship grows when we’re more interested in others than in impressing them, that people are drawn to those who make room for them – depicted with such sweetness and heartfelt insight. I also loved how Amy Jindra Hodgson’s colorful illustrations perfectly complement and enhance the text with subtle humor and continued reinforcement of the theme (without beating anyone over the head with it). Sweet, funny, and quietly wise, this is one you’ll want on your keeper shelf!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
One thing I love about picture books is that, when done right, they can have wonderful lessons tucked away amid the entertainment for children, yes, but also for adults. And Bob is the Biggest, Strongest, and Smartest by Jean Reidy is done right. The text is simple – only a few words on each page – and the theme of ‘how to be a good friend’ is poignant but powerful. I loved how the illustrations by Amy Jindra Hodgson extended the story beyond the text and even added to its message in subtle ways (my favorite of which is how the text immediately shows the inner contrast between Bob and Bill through their behavior even as the illustrations show their outward similarities, particularly in their clothing choices).
Bob is a blustery, boastful bear who tells anyone and everyone that he is the biggest, strongest, and smartest. No one questions this out loud… because he doesn’t give them time to do so… because he never stops talking about how he’s the best. (We all know someone who immediately popped to mind when I described Bob, don’t we? And I daresay we’ve all been Bob before at some point, with perhaps a few rare exceptions.) Enter Bill, a quiet and thoughtful badger who asks questions about the other animals he meets instead of talking about himself. These questions start conversations and develop friendships … and really get under Bob’s skin because that means no one is talking to him anymore (or, rather, listening to him talk about himself). But everything changes when Bill invests time getting to know Bob too. (I hope someone popped into your mind when I talked about Bill too! He’s so genuine – I adored him!) Oh you’re going to love what happens next when you read Bob is the Biggest, Strongest, and Smartest! It’s just such an endearing way to approach this super-important life lesson, one that many adults need even more than the kiddos do but also one that is crucial to embed in a child’s heart as early as possible.
Bottom Line: Bob is the Biggest, Strongest, and Smartest by Jean Reidy is a delightful, cartoon-bright picture book that delivers an important life lesson along with a few giggles. In gently contrasting the way self-focused Bob and others-focused Bill move through life, Reidy and Hodgson model what a good friend looks like… and what it doesn’t. I loved seeing this timeless truth – that friendship grows when we’re more interested in others than in impressing them, that people are drawn to those who make room for them – depicted with such sweetness and heartfelt insight. I also loved how Amy Jindra Hodgson’s colorful illustrations perfectly complement and enhance the text with subtle humor and continued reinforcement of the theme (without beating anyone over the head with it). Sweet, funny, and quietly wise, this is one you’ll want on your keeper shelf!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
July 22, 2026
Competition is always on the minds of children and showing off to their friends is sometimes an activity that children enjoy. Showing off to friends can sometimes alienate friends. This delightful picture book for ages 4-8 has a life lesson for young children to learn that asking questions to learn about others is a better way to make friends.
Bob is always bragging that he is smart and strong. He did all of the talking and his friends could never get in a word to ask him about anything. He met Bill the beaver one day and Bill changed everything. Bill liked to ask questions to learn about his new friends. Bill liked to ask questions to find out about Bob and Bob felt good that someone wanted to learn about him as a friend. Bob and Bill became good friends and started to learn about all of the others together. The life lesson of kindness is also a part of this charming picture book.
Amy Jindra Hodgson contributed her talents as an illustrator to create adorable and colorful illustrations to tell Bob's story.
Bob is always bragging that he is smart and strong. He did all of the talking and his friends could never get in a word to ask him about anything. He met Bill the beaver one day and Bill changed everything. Bill liked to ask questions to learn about his new friends. Bill liked to ask questions to find out about Bob and Bob felt good that someone wanted to learn about him as a friend. Bob and Bill became good friends and started to learn about all of the others together. The life lesson of kindness is also a part of this charming picture book.
Amy Jindra Hodgson contributed her talents as an illustrator to create adorable and colorful illustrations to tell Bob's story.
March 26, 2026
I think we've all met someone like Bob who boasts frequently about their awesomeness. Hopefully we've all met someone like Bill too. Someone who wants to get to know other people. I love this book for a look at what it takes to be a good friend. I also love this for explaining to kids how conversations work because good communication is a skill and we need models for learning new skills. Along the way, this is a sweet, often funny book that makes for a good read aloud for older preschoolers and younger elementary schoolers.
March 11, 2026
I think this is to teach kids to stop talking, and bragging so much and listen to others. Also maybe to help kids who don't have many friends because they just talk about themselves so much..shows that listening and talking to others is how you can make a friend.
March 23, 2026
3 1/2 star. Good for preschool and up. Would be good for a lesson about friendship or feelings. Bob is a bragger but learns a lot from Bill who comes along asking lots of questions to all the animals and finds out who are they and how they feel. Bob learns a lot from Bill !
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March 11, 2026I think this book would go great with other bear books by Ryan T. Higgins. That one, I think it's called, Be Quiet!
March 14, 2026
Funny and sweet, Bob (and the reader) discovers the world is richer when you take an interest in others. Reidy is a master at turning a phrase just so, and Hodgson's illustrations pop. A delight!
April 13, 2026
A good life lesson picture book that will be an engaging read aloud as well.
June 27, 2026
funny, K-2nd, complex SEL
April 30, 2026
Boastful Bob is susre he is the smartest, strongest and biggest in the forest until Bill comes along and asks everybody questions and meets everyone winning them over as friends. Bob gets answers and talks to mic and birds, and butterflies, deer, and raccoons. But Bob doesn't have time for games and play and no one seems to notice him. Until Bob asks quetions and finds out about Bill and they become friends.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews