Book Review - The Labyrinth: The Lima Bear Stories

The Labyrinth: The Lima Bear Stories

By: Thomas Weck and Peter Weck
Illustrated by: Len DiSalvo
Published by: Lima Bear Press, Inc.
Publication Date: August 2012
ISBN: 978-1933872049
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld

Review Date: June June 4, 2012

The Lima Bears are back! And once again, our favorite “bean,” little L. Joe Bean saves the day in this sweet adventure of a queen, a labyrinth and a very greedy Mean Ol’ Bean who wants the throne for himself.

King Limalot has decided that he is tired of life as king and it is time to step down. With no sons to pass his throne to, the duties fall to his daughter Belinda. Everybody in the Kingdom is happy and cheers for the new queen. That is, everybody but Mean Ol’ Bean who schemes and plans for a way to become ruler of the land.

Oh, Mean Ol’ Bean
how he did scheme.
To be rid of the Queen,
that was his dream.


Soon, Mean Ol’ Bean comes up with a dastardly plot to lure the Queen away from her throne. There is a labyrinth in the Kingdom with the most wonderful magic garden at the center. But the garden is only a rumor because nobody has ever seen it – the labyrinth is too big and confusing for anybody to find the garden. However, with the help of some pink flower petals, Mean Ol’ Bean is able to locate the garden and more importantly, find his way out. Now he can lure the Queen to the garden and leave her there!
Fortunately, L. Joe Bean learns of Mean Ol’ Bean’s evil plot. Will L. Joe Bean be able to save the Queen before it is too late and she is lost forever?

The Labyrinth is the fourth book in the Lima Bear series and the authors are really starting to find their grove. The characters are developed nicely and the stories are a lot of fun. Children will be challenged along with L. Joe Bean to think of a way to escape from the labyrinth. There is also a nice message about forgiveness that adds an additional dimension to the story. Finally, at the back of the book there are two pages to “Extend the Learning” and “Activities” with suggestion on what to do before, during and after reading the book to keep the conversation going with your youngster(s). All this, combined with bright and engaging illustrations make The Labyrinth a winner.

Quill says: Visit the Lima Bears again in this charming, clever and entertaining continuation to the Lima Bear series.