Duck wants to hang out with Bear, but Bear has gone fishing. The reader gets both sides of the story while the two creatures are apart (Duck is lonely and tries to occupy herself* in various ways; Bear's fishing trip isn't going very well). When Duck catches up with Bear, Bear is actually happy to see her, but realizes with a sigh that she's stuck with her whether she wants to be or not.

*The text is almost entirely dialogue, with no gendered pronouns.

See also: Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins ( )

Next-door-neighbors Bear and Duck return in this third hilarious picture-book devoted to their adventures, following upon Goodnight Already! and I Love You Already! When Bear heads off to the woods for a solitary camping trip, Duck is lonely and discontented, feeling neglected and abandoned. Bear, in the meantime, finds that a solo camping trip isn't as peaceful or as fun as expected. Fortunately for him, Duck can't stand to be separated for long...

Like its predecessors, the narrative of Come Home Already! consists almost entirely of dialogue, whether between the two characters or internally, as Bear and Duck think to themselves, or exclaim out loud. The artwork by Benji Davies is colorful and amusing, matching the zany sense of humor in the story perfectly. As always with these books, this one makes for an excellent read-aloud at storytime, especially if your have two storytellers assume the roles of Bear and Duck, and really get into their expressions of despair and frustration. Recommended to anyone who enjoyed the first two stories about this ursine/anatine duo, as well as to anyone in the market for humorous picture-books in general. ( )