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Mother Bruce #3
Bruce's Big Move-A Mother Bruce Book
After the events of Hotel Bruce, the curmudgeonly bear shares his home with not only his four geese, but three rowdy mice besides! Fed up with their shenanigans, Bruce sets off to find a rodent-free household. But as usual, nothing goes quite according to plan. . .
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 26, 2017
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431 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews
May 12, 2019
Well, I think I'm at the end of wanting to read any more Bruce books. I liked the first book so much more than any of the subsequent books in this series, and I think that comes down to the mice. The mice annoy the hell out of me, and I don't blame Bruce for wanting to get away from them.
At the end of the day, I don't like the message behind this book. Bruce needs more solitude than he's able to get day-to-day, mostly because the damn mice never shut up. Having to move house to escape unwelcome house guests seems extreme (though after my recent experience with mice, I do understand how tempting that may be).
The real problem for me was that at the end, Bruce just decides that living in chaos feels like "home". I'm tired of seeing the message that people who want some peace and quiet need to suck it up and deal, 'cause eventually they'll realize they're happier with hubbub anyway. Bah. What a load of nonsense.
2 stars for this one.
At the end of the day, I don't like the message behind this book. Bruce needs more solitude than he's able to get day-to-day, mostly because the damn mice never shut up. Having to move house to escape unwelcome house guests seems extreme (though after my recent experience with mice, I do understand how tempting that may be).
The real problem for me was that at the end, Bruce just decides that living in chaos feels like "home". I'm tired of seeing the message that people who want some peace and quiet need to suck it up and deal, 'cause eventually they'll realize they're happier with hubbub anyway. Bah. What a load of nonsense.
2 stars for this one.
October 18, 2019
I like grumpy ol’ Bruce. He has 4 geese as children and 3 rowdy mice live with him. The 3 rowdy mice drive him crazy. They are, noisy and messy. Wow, that sounds just like children. It’s amazing how loud and messy kids can be. I mean, it’s unbelievable. It’s so bad for Bruce, that he decides to move away from the mice. He finds a new place and he thinks he has left the mice behind. The geese are so sad without the mice. When his moving van comes with his stuff, the mice have found him.
I love the artwork in this one. It is warm and cozy and then Bruce’s grumpy grounds and holds the story. He’s a big teddy bear.
The nephew loved this book. He loved the crazy mice and he loved the grumpy Bruce. He said Bruce was like me. I don’t think I am a grumpy, but he sees me as grumpy. He gave this 4 stars.
I love the artwork in this one. It is warm and cozy and then Bruce’s grumpy grounds and holds the story. He’s a big teddy bear.
The nephew loved this book. He loved the crazy mice and he loved the grumpy Bruce. He said Bruce was like me. I don’t think I am a grumpy, but he sees me as grumpy. He gave this 4 stars.
October 14, 2017
Oh dear. I love this series and want more, and I especially want a direct sequel to this particular one. I don't care how saintly you are, if something continues to aggravate you there's a point at which you'll snap, and the results will not be pretty. If Bruce doesn't manage to get some peace & quiet, he's either going to need to get therapy or a mentor or something, or he's going to go bonkers.
But the art! Don't forget to peek under the dust jacket for two surprise bonus images. And allow time to look at all the details, not just in the messes but in other pix, too.
But the art! Don't forget to peek under the dust jacket for two surprise bonus images. And allow time to look at all the details, not just in the messes but in other pix, too.
May 1, 2019
Bruce is finding his home a bit crowded. So he packs up the kids (his four geese) and sets off for a new home. At first, nothing seems quite right, but then the family finds exactly what they're looking for. Unfortunately, it seems that what Bruce was running away from has followed them...
These books are all cute in their way, but I'm finding that I'm just not enjoying the subsequent installments as much as I did Mother Bruce. The pictures are great and the premise is funny, but I guess I'm just wanting... more.
Definitely a must-read if you're a fan of the character, though. And there's always something fun to notice in the illustrations.
These books are all cute in their way, but I'm finding that I'm just not enjoying the subsequent installments as much as I did Mother Bruce. The pictures are great and the premise is funny, but I guess I'm just wanting... more.
Definitely a must-read if you're a fan of the character, though. And there's always something fun to notice in the illustrations.
January 27, 2018
Cute, almost as good as the 1st book. Loooove these books!
September 14, 2017
Poor Bruce. All he wants is peace and quiet and good food. Unfortunately, he is the adopted mother to four geese, and now some mice have moved in. That means not a moment of peace and quiet for Bruce. He already knows he can’t get rid of the geese, and he can’t seem to ditch the mice, so the only thing he can do is move.
Bruce packs up the geese and hits the road, hoping to escape the mice, but he soon finds chaos follows him no matter where he goes. What will curmudgeonly Bruce do?
I adore this series, it is laugh out loud funny. I can totally relate to poor Bruce who just wants some quiet time alone. What makes this series so endearing is the charming characters, the humor that appeals to both adults and children and the illustrations. I have to admit the pictures, for me, are the best part. They are colorful and hilarious, and I love how they capture the essence of the characters. My kids and I both get a kick out of Grumpy Bruce, who really has a big heart, but he hates to show it.
If you want an engaging an entertaining series with bright, colorful illustrations and a hilarious main character, this is for you. This is a series that appeals to both children and adults. Check it out as I know you need more laughs at bedtime.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Bruce packs up the geese and hits the road, hoping to escape the mice, but he soon finds chaos follows him no matter where he goes. What will curmudgeonly Bruce do?
I adore this series, it is laugh out loud funny. I can totally relate to poor Bruce who just wants some quiet time alone. What makes this series so endearing is the charming characters, the humor that appeals to both adults and children and the illustrations. I have to admit the pictures, for me, are the best part. They are colorful and hilarious, and I love how they capture the essence of the characters. My kids and I both get a kick out of Grumpy Bruce, who really has a big heart, but he hates to show it.
If you want an engaging an entertaining series with bright, colorful illustrations and a hilarious main character, this is for you. This is a series that appeals to both children and adults. Check it out as I know you need more laughs at bedtime.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
October 6, 2017
I'm sure fans of the series will love it, but I just really don't care for the mice. Bruce trying to be fake happy for the sake of the geese makes for some magical illustrations though. That alone is kind of worth it.
November 4, 2017
Bruce the bear continues to be mother to his four goose children. But now three mice have also joined them in Bruce’s den and it’s getting very crowded, particularly for the grumpy bear. It was messy and loud. Bruce tried to get rid of the mice, but nothing worked. So he decided to move away with the geese instead, leaving the mice behind. Bruce built a house, just the right size along the water. Bruce was very happy there, but the geese were all sad. Soon though, the mice had a solution, one that Bruce wasn’t happy with but one that felt like home. Higgins once again takes a very grumpy bear and forces him to reluctantly appreciate the chaos around him. Higgins uses a big dollop of humor throughout the book, both in the text and the illustrations. Bruce trying to cheer up the geese is a wonderful twist on the book series and seeing Bruce smile is rather creepy in a good way. A moving book that is a nice twist on other picture book moving stories, this is another winning read-aloud featuring Bruce. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
October 21, 2017
Love these characters. Artwork is stunning. Another Mother Bruce book to hug.
October 27, 2017
I like how this is a continuing story. Bruce is my favorite curmudgeony bear.
October 8, 2021
I LOVE BRUCE!! I hope we will continue to see more and more of Bruce I for one simply love him. These are the sweetest books, the art work and the story lines are wonderful.
January 3, 2019
I especially love the illustrations!
November 5, 2017
There is nothing better than reading a book for the first time. When you see the dust jacket unfolded, the different book case, the opening and closing endpapers which are not the same and are a part of the visual story, certain interior illustrations and specific sentences in the text, it is a distinctive experience. There are books which strike a chord in your reader's heart so clearly the place you read them, who is with you as you read them together and the emotional impact you feel during and after the reading will remain with you always.
This fall in a good friend's classroom it was imperative quiet be maintained for the activity in which the students were engaged. The problem was his principal and I were reading the third book in a humorous series for the first time. With each page turn our desire to burst out laughing increased. We were filled with barely contained mirth until we closed the cover. Then we had to take several deep breaths to regain our composure.
The book is Bruce's Big Move (Disney Hyperion, September 26, 2017) written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins. The first title, Mother Goose Bruce, introduced us to a grouchy bear whose craving for egg cuisine found him in the unlikely role of mother to four geese. Three mice appear in the second book, Hotel Bruce, turning Bruce's den into a woodland getaway for visitors when he and the four geese are vacationing in Florida during the winter. Bruce is barely able to keep his short-tempered self under control.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
This fall in a good friend's classroom it was imperative quiet be maintained for the activity in which the students were engaged. The problem was his principal and I were reading the third book in a humorous series for the first time. With each page turn our desire to burst out laughing increased. We were filled with barely contained mirth until we closed the cover. Then we had to take several deep breaths to regain our composure.
The book is Bruce's Big Move (Disney Hyperion, September 26, 2017) written and illustrated by Ryan T. Higgins. The first title, Mother Goose Bruce, introduced us to a grouchy bear whose craving for egg cuisine found him in the unlikely role of mother to four geese. Three mice appear in the second book, Hotel Bruce, turning Bruce's den into a woodland getaway for visitors when he and the four geese are vacationing in Florida during the winter. Bruce is barely able to keep his short-tempered self under control.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
November 28, 2018
Mother Bruce returns in this third picture-book devoted to his oddball adventures - there is also a related title,
Be Quiet!
, featuring the mice who live with Bruce - this time confronting the chaos of his home life. With four goslings to care for, and three messy mice who won't leave, Bruce finds himself at the end of his tolerance. Taking his charges and leaving the mice behind, our ursine hero is soon settled into a more peaceful life. But what about the goslings? Can he live with their unhappiness, at being parted from their murine friends...?
Like its predecessors, Bruce's Big Move pairs an entertaining tale with immensely appealing artwork. The humor of the story relies upon the very evident frustration that Bruce feels, when confronted with those mess-making mice, who are oblivious to the chaos and inconvenience that they cause. The scenes in which Bruce pretends to be happy, in order to cheer up the goslings, were also quite amusing, while managing to be somewhat poignant as well. Poor Bruce! He just doesn't get a break, and cannot escape those mice. The artwork really captures the emotional register of each scene, and is lots of fun to peruse. Readers should be sure to check underneath the dust-jacket for two additional images. Recommended to anyone who has enjoyed the previous books about Mother Bruce and his many trials and tribulations.
Like its predecessors, Bruce's Big Move pairs an entertaining tale with immensely appealing artwork. The humor of the story relies upon the very evident frustration that Bruce feels, when confronted with those mess-making mice, who are oblivious to the chaos and inconvenience that they cause. The scenes in which Bruce pretends to be happy, in order to cheer up the goslings, were also quite amusing, while managing to be somewhat poignant as well. Poor Bruce! He just doesn't get a break, and cannot escape those mice. The artwork really captures the emotional register of each scene, and is lots of fun to peruse. Readers should be sure to check underneath the dust-jacket for two additional images. Recommended to anyone who has enjoyed the previous books about Mother Bruce and his many trials and tribulations.
September 10, 2019
Adorable and funny. 1st and 2nd grade LOVED it!
January 23, 2019
First sentence: Bruce was a bear who lived with four geese because he was their mother and three mice because they would not leave.
Premise/plot: This is the FOURTH picture book starring the ever-grumpy bear, Bruce. (Sadly my library does not have the third book, Hotel Bruce. Though I have requested they order it.) In this book, Bruce decides to move--with his "children," the four geese. He's hoping to lose the mice somewhere along the way. (Spoiler alert: He doesn't.) Will the move be good for his family?!
My thoughts: I really LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Bruce. He's a FABULOUS character. His grumpiness is adorable. (Actual grumpiness in real life not so adorable most of the time.) The illustrations are hilarious and definitely add a lot to the story. The writing is wonderful as well. I liked his new community--Soggy Hollow Pond. And the new neighbors look like they will provide some humor--not that it was needed!
Premise/plot: This is the FOURTH picture book starring the ever-grumpy bear, Bruce. (Sadly my library does not have the third book, Hotel Bruce. Though I have requested they order it.) In this book, Bruce decides to move--with his "children," the four geese. He's hoping to lose the mice somewhere along the way. (Spoiler alert: He doesn't.) Will the move be good for his family?!
My thoughts: I really LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Bruce. He's a FABULOUS character. His grumpiness is adorable. (Actual grumpiness in real life not so adorable most of the time.) The illustrations are hilarious and definitely add a lot to the story. The writing is wonderful as well. I liked his new community--Soggy Hollow Pond. And the new neighbors look like they will provide some humor--not that it was needed!
January 4, 2018
I do love Mother Bruce quite a lot.. I'm an introvert doing an extrovert's job and by the time I get home I just don't want to talk to a single other person. I'm grumpy and sullen and just want some peace and quiet. Poor Bruce! You and me both buddy.. Every time I see that grumpy face it's like looking in the mirror, but Bruce doesn't even have Starbucks and his recipes become lifelong responsibilities. Yikes!
Anyways, this book is a continuation of the wonderful series that started with the book Mother Bruce. This book isn't quite as winning as Mother Bruce simply because there isn't that surprise that you get with the first book that simply cannot be replicated. It's still very good though and the illustrations are a lot of fun, there's just a whole lot to look at. The message isn't bad either. :)
Anyways, this book is a continuation of the wonderful series that started with the book Mother Bruce. This book isn't quite as winning as Mother Bruce simply because there isn't that surprise that you get with the first book that simply cannot be replicated. It's still very good though and the illustrations are a lot of fun, there's just a whole lot to look at. The message isn't bad either. :)
May 15, 2018
I love the illustrations in this book. I love the color selection used. The geese are growing and with the three mice still living in Bruce's den, it is starting to feel cramped. The three mice are great at making messes and Bruce doesn't like it. So Bruce decided to move. Finding a new home is harder than it looks. Bruce looked everywhere. Bruce finally found the perfect house, but the geese were not happy. They missed the mice. Until one day, guess who showed up in a moving van. Yep. The mice. The mice were happy. The Geese were happy. Bruce was not happy. The house was once again a mess, but Bruce was home at last.
~April
~April
September 26, 2017
Omg, take off the dust jacket and appreciate the front and back view of Bruce on the motorcycle. It NEVER fails that when I show Bruce's derriere to any class that they break into adorable, hysterical giggles.
December 1, 2017
It's getting awfully crowded in Bruce's house with the geese and the mice. It is now time to move. I love this series. I laugh out loud and the goings on at Bruce's. This is a wonderful series for your little ones (and us not-so-little ones.)
June 25, 2018
Bruce does not like the mice living in his house. So he decides to move. Him and his four geese. But the geese miss their friends. How, oh how will Bruce make his little birds happy again. I love this story, and the message that family is family and home is home no matter where you go.
September 29, 2017
I think I might love this one the best out of all the Bruce books ❤️
October 20, 2017
I love Bruce and the goslings, but I'm not a huge fan of the mice. Ah, well.
This book was pretty cute, in its own way. Bruce's face when he's trying to cheer up the geese is priceless.
This book was pretty cute, in its own way. Bruce's face when he's trying to cheer up the geese is priceless.
October 30, 2017
It takes more than a house to make a home in this worthy successor to the other stories in the Bruce series. I loved it!
November 18, 2017
This one wasn't nearly as good as it's predecessors, but I still enjoyed it!
December 7, 2017
I just love all of the Bruce books! Such a fun read!
January 10, 2018
Oh, my goodness. These illustrations! The book manages to look modern and classic at the same time. You can tell how much love was put into this book.
Concludes with an applesauce recipe!
Concludes with an applesauce recipe!
November 8, 2018
Bruce tries to move from all the distractions, and the distractions find him. I love Bruce. I just might be Bruce!!
February 22, 2019
Bruce tries to get rid of his hotel guest but his geese miss them. Bruce cannot catch a break, lol.
December 9, 2017
With hilarious expressions and adorable illustrations, this book is sure to entertain parents and children alike. This is the third book in the Bruce series and continues where the second book left off.
I love the expressive images of the bear, especially as he anticipates the calm of a quiet home, and then angst when the moving crew and the housewarming party bring a riot of activity and old and new friends.
The illustrations, "created using scans of treated clayboard for textures, graphite, ink, and Photoshop." (p. 6) The details are hilarious and the critters are so cute.
Overall, it's a funny and heartwarming story and I really enjoyed reading it (a couple of times). Thanks to Cheryl for pointing out things I hadn't noticed. After reading her review, I noted the fun details in the endpages (Yum, homemade applesauce!). I will certainly keep my eyes open for any more additions to this series.
interesting quote:
"'Good night, Bruce. You're a good mom.'
'I'm going to start charging you rent.'
'We love you, too.'" (pp. 43-44)
I love the expressive images of the bear, especially as he anticipates the calm of a quiet home, and then angst when the moving crew and the housewarming party bring a riot of activity and old and new friends.
The illustrations, "created using scans of treated clayboard for textures, graphite, ink, and Photoshop." (p. 6) The details are hilarious and the critters are so cute.
Overall, it's a funny and heartwarming story and I really enjoyed reading it (a couple of times). Thanks to Cheryl for pointing out things I hadn't noticed. After reading her review, I noted the fun details in the endpages (Yum, homemade applesauce!). I will certainly keep my eyes open for any more additions to this series.
interesting quote:
"'Good night, Bruce. You're a good mom.'
'I'm going to start charging you rent.'
'We love you, too.'" (pp. 43-44)
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