Big Brown Bear's Up and Down Day

Following the adventures of the titular ursine character, this three-story compilation features iconographic-animated adaptations of author and illustrator David McPhail's picture books Big Brown Bear's Up and Down Day (2003), Big Brown Bear Goes to Town (2006), and Big Brown Bear's Birthday Surprise (2007). In Big Brown Bear's Up and Down Day, Bear wakes up to a rodent who's trying to sneak off with Bear's slipper to use for his own bed. Bear puts a stop to the theft, but Rat persists, later reappearing in disguise to claim that Bear has won a vacation (but, sadly, slippers aren't allowed). As the tug of war continues, Bear eventually offers Rat food, a windup car, and—you guessed it—one of his old shoes. Swindler Rat's manipulation of the naïve Bear is a little off-putting, which is continued in Big Brown Bear Goes to Town (the new roommates go to the hardware store so Bear can pick up supplies to make a garage for Rat's new ride) and Big Brown Bear's Birthday Surprise (Bear mistakenly thinks Rat got him a boat for his special day…and the pair “borrow” it). Bear's awareness seems variable: in the second tale, he has a bank account, but in the third, he doesn't even realize it's his birthday. And Rat is…well…aptly named. DVD extras include a “Sharing My Story” conversation with McPhail. Optional. Aud: K, P. (J. Williams-Wood)