The strength and power of bears
have intrigued humans for generations, from teddy bears to bears living in wild
lands and in zoos. The books included in this small collection show the humor
that children’s book writers and children themselves feel in the enjoyment of
inventive stories to delight our imaginations.
Big Bear, Small Mouse
by Karma Wilson
Illustrated by Jane Chapman
Once again
Wilson’s delightful rhymes grab attention, this time with a focus on opposites.
The rollicking rhythms of this jaunty picture book are captivatingly simple and
engaging for the youngest listeners. Bear and Mouse, Badger, Hare, Wren, Owl,
Mole, Gopher and Raven are all involved in demonstrating opposites; cold/warm,
quiet/loud, high/low, slow/fast, small/big.
Chapman’s
breezy acrylic illustrations are an animated back and forth of white space that
shows the contrast between the opposites demonstrated in this story and the
happy animal adventurers as they romp through the blue and green woods to
bear’s lair where everyone comes in out of the weather for a cozy conclusion.
Simon & Schuster,
$16.99
Interest Level:
Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 1
There’s a Bear on My
Chair
by Ross Collins
Another perfect
story for the nursery set begins with a large polar bear seated on small
mouse’s chair. Collins matches his playful rhymes with large double-page
digitally created spreads, that show the mouse doing nearly all the talking
about the bear: “I understand that bears are rare. I know they need the utmost
care. I know all that. I am aware. But still I cannot stand this bear.”
This book
is great fun to read aloud. The text
is printed on one side of each spread, with a large font to magnify the
intensifying drama. Solid color backgrounds concentrate attention on the expressive
faces, body language and perplexing situation for the two characters.
When finally, the mouse has had it,
and leaves, the bear wordlessly gets up off the chair and heads home to his
igloo. The final page spread is the twist that makes the story - at last the
bear speaks - for a satisfying conclusion!
Candlewick Press,
$7.99 (board book) $16.99 (hardcover)
Interest Level:
Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 1
How to Share with a
Bear
by Eric Pinder
illustrated by Stephanie Graegin
When Thomas
makes a cozy cave, it attracts a small bear. Clever Thomas uses blankets,
pillows, and cushions to create this comfy den in the living room. But when he
leaves to get a flashlight to read, bumping and thumping noises from inside
lead to the discovery of a bear when he returns.
Thomas
makes a trail of blueberries “leading away from the cave” because “Everyone
knows that bears like berries.” It works! – For a while. But when he gets back
with his books. He’s too late! The bear is there!
Thomas
tries to think like a bear – and lures him away with a back scratcher, fish
bath toys in the bathroom sink, a bowl of honey oat cereal in the kitchen – all
of which are fleetingly successful. But once Thomas is inside the cave, there’s
no room for the bear, who begins to cry. Fortunately, there’s a cave-in!
The bear and Thomas giggle, and
rebuild a bigger cave! Youngsters can finally see the bear is Thomas’ younger
brother!
Pinder uses simple engaging
language to tell of the kindness of this older brother. Graegin’s blue and gold
palate of absorbing details in the accompanying illustrations guides the
youngest listeners along this sweetly generous journey. This captivating story
includes simple instructions at the end, for the nursery crowd, on “How to
Build a Cave.”
Farrar, Straus and
Giroux, $17.99
Interest Level:
Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 1
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