Louis

by Tom Lichtenheld, Julie Rowan-Zoch (Illustrator)

A beloved teddy can bear it no longer and plots his escape from his owner’s suffocating affections in this laugh-out-loud picture book from New York Times best-selling creator of Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site and Steam Train Dream Train fame, Tom Lichtenheld.

Louis the bear has had enough. From day one, life has been one indignity after another. If he's not being used as a hankie, he's being hung out to dry—literally. (No one likes clothespins used on their ears!) This teddy is sneaking away just as soon as he can. Then again, no use running off in the rain . . .or during a show-and-tell routine. Maybe Louis has something to lose, after all. 

This fresh and funny take on a teddy bear come to life is a salty and sweet, grumpy and tender, sly tribute to the ties that bind. 

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Storytime, Friendship, Animals, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 6, 2020

About the author

Children's book author/illustrator writes for kids who love to laugh and grown-ups who love to laugh along with them. When not making up stories and drawing silly pictures, he likes to get other people's kids all riled-up then send them home to their parents.

Reviews

[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for my toddler’s bedtime. A cute story in the point of view of the boy’s teddy bear. Good humor too.

Read from kindle unlimited.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this grumpy teddy bear!

Louis has had it! He’s been poked by needles, used as a snot rag, left behind, and more. It’s time to make a run for it. BUT maybe there’s a few reasons to stay too.

I love the BIG, sharp in your face colors on every page. And Louis’ eye contact with the reader conveys and captures the humor and mood perfectly. Some of the faces he makes are hysterical!

A fun, sometimes grumpy read. Hope you meet Louis.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

So here's what happened when I went to read LOUIS today . . . my eight-almost-nine-year-old, who has had a favorite teddy since birth, stopped short and said "Hold on. I want to read that book with you."

LOUIS is the sweet-but-funny tale of a teddy who's been overlooked, mislaid, and loved too hard. The much put-upon first person narrator will give kids and grownups alike a chuckle. This is destined to be a favorite that is read and re-read, again and again, with favorite stuffies close by.

[Abby Johnson]

This is a cute and funny story about a teddy bear named Louis who has had ENOUGH of being tossed around, splattered with milk, put through the wash, left on the bus, and everything else. Louis decides he's LEAVING... but when his little boy needs him on a dark night, he just might change his mind. Pair this with Time for Bed's Story for a fun anthropomorphic bedtime storytime.

[Hope Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how LOUIS opens up a new dimension in the world of a stuffed toy. It is a unique take on the inner thoughts of a teddy bear who wants an escape from being handled too much. Louis’ desire for an escape is completely relatable and hilarious at the same time. In some way, his need for a break reminds me of our need for an escape from a busy and constantly moving lifestyle. In the end, love triumphs and fixes everything. Julie Rowan-Zoch's brilliant illustrations add extra fun and personality to this clever story.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from HMH Books for Young Readers through Edelweiss+.
Life from a teddy bear's perspective. Louis identifies all the ways he is used and mistreated and plans to get away. But, Louis keeps finding reasons to stay, and in the end, realizes it is a pretty decent life for a bear.
Plenty of humor as readers read about his life and see the illustrations of what is happening. Young readers will appreciate this and make connections to their own stuffed animals.

[Elisa Boxer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable teddy bear will capture the hearts of kids (and grownups) everywhere! Louis is sick and tired of being at his owner's beck and call (my favorite scene is when he's used as a hankie!). He's fed up. So he plots his escape. Until he realizes that what he'd be escaping, might just be all a teddy bear could ever ask for.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louis the teddy bear is upset. "Since day one," he tells us, "things have gone downhill. I've been a pillow...a hankie...and lunch for a prehistoric beast."

He wants out.

He's had it. He can't bear it anymore.

A wonderfully silly little story of a toy that longs to escape from all the travails of being a bear...but somehow also loves being exactly where he is.

[Melanie Ellsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's another funny, punny, heartfelt book from Tom Lichtenheld! I love that it's told from the point of view of a disgruntled teddy bear who feels a bit mistreated. Julie Rowan-Zoch's illustrations are adorable and will make you want to cuddle your own teddy bear. I particularly like the clever illustration for the line, "Things have gone downhill." Grab your teddy, a child, and some hot chocolate, and snuggle in for a lovely read!

[Lindsay Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun wordplay, hyperbole, and a "salty"-turned-sweet attitude from the eponymous teddy-bear MC make this story by Tom Lichtenheld and debut illustrator Julie Rowan-Zoch perfect for repeated reads. Kids will have fun realizing that Louis is only fooling himself with his grumpy attitude. This makes a funny, quick, bedtime read for preschoolers.

[Candy Wellins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louis is a humorous, sweet ode to teddy bears. If you’ve ever loved a stuffed animal, LOUIS is for you. The story highlights all the indignities stuffed friends face (getting chewed by the dog or forgotten on a bus). But in the end, it’s the love of their humans that make life bearable! A sweet story sure to be treasured by adults and kids.

[Mary Copp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable, but grumpy, Louis can BEAR his life no longer and he lets you know exactly why! So maybe he should escape. Or maybe not. After all, there are some wonderful things about living in a loving home. This is a funny and heartfelt picture book by Tom Lichtenheld with wonderfully colorful and expressive illustrations by Julie Rowan-Zoch. A definite re-read that will warm hearts.

[Vicky Fang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so cute! It's a story about a disgruntled (but adorable) teddy bear who finds every reason to leave, and finally a reason to stay. Kids will love the humorous yet recognizable situations the poor bear finds himself in! A sweet story with adorable illustrations.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable. It was read in a webinar I attended from the publisher.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curmudgeonly teddy bear Louis complains constantly about the travails of a stuffed toy's life, but finally decides that "a bear could do worse" than cuddle with the child who loves him. Tom Lichtenheld's simple, sprightly text amusingly presents Louis's catalog of woes: "I've been x-rayed, milk-sprayed, and mislaid." Julie Rowan-Zoch's big, bold illustrations deliver additional humor in pictures of the much-put-upon bear being made to serve as pillow and even hankie, conveying Louis's facial expressions deliciously throughout. So three cheers for this grumpy teddy and one more for newcomer Julie Rowan-Zoch, whose pictures deliver non-stop delight in these pages.

[Anastasia Tuckness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louis has a rough life. He gets used as a kleenex, shoved into a hurricane (washer), and then hung out to dry. He also has to deal with the indignities of sister tea parties and the occasional time being left on a bus. When a bear is so mistreated, what's he to do? Stay around and suffer? Not this bear! Well, maybe. This was great fun, too and liked by both kids, who waited with bated breath to see what he'd decide.

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading a string of politically correct, really_for_the_adults picture books, here comes Tom Lichtenheld to reassure me that the publishers still can publish picture books that kids will love-and the grownups will chuckle at too. Delightful.

[Brandon Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little bear, Louis, voices the kind of "misery" that young children often experience, feeling victimized, overlooked, taken for granted, and unempowered. There is humor to spare, with figurative language, twists-and-turns between the claims of suffering and the actual events and feelings. Louis is a very universal bear, with the simply-expressed facial arrangements that might actually be observed on among a small collection of fuzzy toys bears. Even so, he plays a great sand in for the toddler who prepares to run away but always finds a reason why life at homes might be tolerable.

[NoNieqa Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I imagined the perspective of illustrator Julie Rowan-Zoch seeing author Tom Lichtenheld’s words for the first time. Page by page I pictured the story with text only, being brought to life by Julie Rowan Zoch’s art. Julie’s interpretations are kid-relatable, laugh-loud funny, and warm. Educators will enjoy talking about point-of-view and can contrast the POV of the boy and the teddy bear. Young readers can talk about feelings and how they can read Bear’s body language to know why he is upset. The turning point of the story when Bear makes his big decision will make a great class discussion. Through humor and high kid appeal, Lichtenheld and Rowan-Zoch teach kids empathy for their Bears, stuffed animals, and maybe for each other too.

[Julie Hedlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything - heart, humor, suspense, and illustrations with high emotion. Julie Rowan-Zoch somehow manages to make Louis look simultaneously disgruntled AND adorable, while his person's exuberance and adoration is a constant. I love how Louis feelings swing back and forth between having "had enough" and reflecting on the good parts of his life - all in a single day. Very child-relatable, since we all know their emotions can swing wildly too. The balance, beautifully, lands on gratitude and love.

[Mo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love! Reminded me of the times I’ve had with my own teddy bear.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed out loud several times at the exploits of a teddy bear who keeps plotting his escape from the indignities he is asked to endure as a child's stuffed animal. I also loved the ending where he realizes that maybe things aren't so bad and he has it pretty good after all. Great illustrations and fun, silly, sweet story.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endearing book about a teddy bear who has had enough of all the pulling, squeezing, and getting loved too much, or so he thinks.

Tom Lichtenheld is one of my favorite authors. This new, adorable book of his will not disappoint. The illustrations by Julie Rowan-Zoch are fun and colorful. She does an amazing job of capturing the feelings and personality of this little bear.

Along with "Duck, Rabbit," this book is sure to be a favorite for years to come.

[Theresa Grissom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable book told from the stuffed bear's viewpoint.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with my eight year old child and she started talking about her favorite stuffed friend immediately. This book is funny and endearing and children and adults can absolutely relate to Louis. The illustrations are adorable, as well. I would recommend this book to any library. It makes a great read-aloud.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A teddy bear fed up with suffering one indignity after another plots his escape.

[Abi Cushman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this hilarious story about Louis, a teddy bear who has had ENOUGH. There is a ton of humor in the disparity between what's said in the text (from Louis's perspective) and what is really happening in the pictures. For example, he says he's been through a hurricane (in the washer/dryer) and x-rayed (going through the scanner at the airport). It's really kid-relatable and seeing this cute little teddy bear's face get more and more disgruntled as the story progresses is comedy gold.

I think Julie Rowan-Zoch's illustrations are perfect for the story. There's a freshness and looseness to her drawings that complement the tone of the story wonderfully.

A big hit in our household!

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louis, a teddy bear, has had enough of his current lifestyle, and plans his escape. He feels underappreciated, used and abused, and mislaid. This look at the secret life of Louis will make anyone take a hard and thoughtful look of what a "rough" life this bear leads.

[Larissa Marantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The funny point of view of the well-loved stuffy and all that they put up with from their adoring child owners, LOUIS is a heart-warming tale of a stuffed bear and his unwillingness to put up with all that comes with being the number one toy in a child's life. This sweet story by best-selling author Tom Lichtenheld and Illustrator Julie Rowan-Zoch is a perfect gift for the child with their own irreplaceable stuffed lovey. Delightfully charming digital illustrations by Rowan-Zoch proves that the iPad Procreate is a perfectly professional publishing tool for picture book illustrators.