Bear & Squirrel are hanging out together as usual. They are so in sync with each other, when they play music together, it is as smooth as their friendship.

Another sees this synchronicity and fun, and really wants to join in. It’s Chicken who is watching and wondering…

‘Hey what you doing? I’d like to play

Yes, well you can’t, so please go away.’

Chicken is super keen however and won’t give up trying to join in. He tries everything, including many different instruments, but Bear & Squirrel are NOT interested in letting Chicken into their tight twosome.

Chicken decides he doesn’t need Squirrel & Bear. He will find friends elsewhere…

Unfortunately this is not a good idea. Bear & Squirrel realise – almost too late – that they may have made a terrible mistake!

The perfect story to show that – Yes, two is good. But – three can be even better.

Letting new friends join into tight groups can be hard at first, because it is a little different. But change can be a good thing and a new friend can bring all sorts of wonderful new experiences.

The feeling of fitting in, or belonging is important to all of us, and begins early. Seeing this happen on the page with three animals can kick-start a chat about inclusion, sharing and acceptance with young children.

The rhyme is right on the button, short, concise and with humour, bringing laughter to the problem.

Main characters Bear & Squirrel are clear on uncluttered white backgrounds, which allow young readers to see what’s going on in each page. The animals are all drawn with fun emotions and actions, all while sorting the conundrum of two’s company, but three’s a crowd. 

But isn’t life better with the more the merrier?

This is the third book in the Bear & Squirrel Picture Book series.

Author – Smriti Halls

Illustrator – Steve Smalls

Picture Book

(2022, Simon & Schuster, Series, Animals, Bear, Squirrel, Chicken, Two’s Company, Three’s a Crowd, Inclusion, Joining in, Music, Playing Together)