When Bruce rejects fun one too many times in this seventh picture book devoted to his adventures, the mice secretly wish that he would change, becoming more cheerful, more adventurous, and more full of pizazz. Little do they realize that Bruce's fun-loving cousin Kevin is on the way, arriving the same day Bruce himself takes off on a fishing trip. Convinced that their wishes have come true, the mice (and geese) enjoy the chaotic hijinks at first, but soon discover that this new "Bruce" might be fun, but he isn't particularly attuned to their needs, or even their safety. Could it be that too much fun isn't a good thing, and that Bruce was fine as we was...?

Featuring the same sly sense of humor and underlying goodheartedness (grumpy blue bears notwithstanding) as it predecessors, The Bruce Swap was a fun adventure with these appealing characters. As always, I appreciated the eponymous ursine character's gruff grouchiness, and the fact that, underneath it all, this is a bear who does truly care. I certainly got a chuckle out of the fact that, returning home, Bruce offers to be more fun, only to be met with emphatic denials. This emphasizes that, in the end, what Bruce brings to the table is something more valuable than "fun." He is that solidly dependable parent who sees to the needs of his children, and ensures their welfare, even if not always a barrel of laughs. In short: he is a parental figure, rather than a friend, something the mice and geese come to appreciate, when his steadying influence is removed. Recommended to fans of "Mother Bruce" and his brood, as well as to those picture book readers looking for stories which emphasize the idea of being careful what you wish for, and of solid dependability being more important in a parent, than "pizazz." ( )

Oh Bruce. Bruce. Bruce. Bruce. You never cease to disappoint me with your lovable gruffness. You live surrounded by a world of woodland hooligans who drive you bonkers. Who knew you had a cousin named Kevin who only loves fun.....(reminds me of brother-in-law, also named Kevin.)

Seriously, Ryan T. Higgins has created a world with Bruce, the geese, the mice, everyone, that I want to come home to. Adults appreciate these books as much as kids do (at least my husband does.....some of the jokes are clearly written for adults) and of course, I have already added it to my personal collection. ( )

I love the Bruce Books. Ryan Higgins knows just how to tell a story to get kids laughing and this is no exception. Bruce’s cousin Kevin stops by and the friends think he is Bruce’s doppelganger, or dimple pooper. And they have a LOT of fun. But sometimes there is such a thing as too much fun. And the friends find it. I love this book, and this series, plus it’s spin offs. I can never get to much Higgins. ( )

Bruce's fun cousin Kevin comes to visit, just as Bruce goes off on a fishing trip alone. One of the geese eats the note Bruce leaves, so when Kevin arrives, they all think he's Bruce ("All our wishes came true! We made Bruce fun!"). But Kevin is TOO much fun - and chaos - and by the time Bruce returns, all of his friends are desperate for normalcy again. A fun addition to the other Bruce books, and a not-so-subtle reminder that boundaries and rules aren't all bad. ( )

great fun! ( )