The Bear Ate Your Sandwich

　　故事一開始，旁白就開門見山的說：「我想，你大概發覺你的三明治不見了。不過，你知道它是怎麼消失的嗎？」
 
　　原來，森林裡有一隻溫和的黑熊，牠的靈敏嗅覺帶著牠找到了一部載滿新鮮野莓的卡車。吃完香甜的野莓，黑熊不小心睡著了，結果被卡車送往大都市（舊金山）。靠著牠對野外的了解，黑熊開始探索這座水泥森林：牠靠在電線桿上抓癢，發現跟老家的樹幹一樣好用，一棟棟相連的公寓屋頂和曬衣繩，則成了牠的遊樂場。這時黑熊的鼻子又聞到了好東西，牠發現這座森林裡到處有點心：賣蜂蜜的攤子、賣魚的小店、還有充滿各種奇異香味的──垃圾桶。不過，這些寶藏都被其他動物捷足先登，黑熊只能羨慕的看著牠們享用。
 
　　最後牠聞到青草地的味道，循線找到了一座公園。就在這座公園裡，黑熊發現有個看起來好好吃的三明治，孤零零的躺在長椅上。眼見四下無人……
 
　　《The Bear Ate Your Sandwich》畫風大膽鮮明，人物的線條充滿動感，看著Julia Sarcone-Roach精心繪製的插圖，彷彿置身一場輕快的美夢。而旁白的敘事方法富有詩意，平靜的語氣讓故事讀起來就像一首溫暖的搖籃曲。當我們陪著黑熊不慌不忙地在市區遊逛，平時喧鬧醜陋的城市也跟著安靜下來，氣氛變得像在逛遊樂場一樣的輕鬆。對較小的孩子來說，《The Bear Ate Your Sandwich》是一隻黑熊的精彩冒險故事；較大的孩子則會被旁白的真面目逗得樂不可支。能夠啟發這麼一段有趣的故事，那個被偷的三明治應該非常好吃吧！（文／博客來外文館）

Bear meets sandwich, adventure ensues. . . . An irresistible treat for fans of Jon Klassen, Peter Brown, and Mo Willems.

By now I think you know what happened to your sandwich.
But you may not know how it happened.
So let me tell you.
It all started with the bear . . .

So begins Julia Sarcone-Roach’s delicious tale of a bear, lost in the city, who happens upon an unattended sandwich in the park. The bear’s journey from forest to city and back home again is full of happy accidents, funny encounters, and sensory delights. The story is so engrossing, it’s not until the very end that we begin to suspect this is a TALL tale.

The wonderfully told story, spectacular illustrations, and surprise ending make this Julia Sarcone-Roach’s best book to date. You’ll want to share it with your friends (and keep a close eye on your lunch).

Praise for The Bear Ate Your Sandwich:

***Winner of an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor Award!***

＂This story is mischief-making at its finest. And just like a good sandwich, it’s hard to resist.＂ - Book Page

＂Charming＂ -- The Wall Street Journal

＂While the bear storyline is entertaining in itself, the ending twist will equally delight kids who love to spot untruths, and a second reading for hints as to the narrator’s credibility may well be in order.＂ -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Starred review

After attending the Rhode Island School of Design, JULIA SARCONE-ROACH made her Knopf picture-book debut with The Secret Plan, and followed it up with the highly praised Subway Story. She is also the creator of animated videos, including Call of the Wild, which was featured in indie film festivals and won several prizes. Julia lives in Brooklyn, NY. You can find her on the Web at jsarconeroach.com.