I love a good off-beat theme. These fun bear books were selected by my coworker.
Harold Loves his Woolly Hat
Vern Kousky
ISBN: 9781524764685
Harold's woolly hat has been stolen by a crow, and Harold is willing to trade just about anything to get it back.. until he realizes WHY the crow is so attached to it. I'm not super thrilled about the subtext of "stealing is ok if it's for an important reason" but I'm just going to hope that it's above the kids' level.
Bamboo and Friends, The Rainy Day
Felicia Law, illustrated by Nicola Evans
ISBN: 1404812806
Panda bears are totally bears. A rainy day gives a chance for friends to share stories and learn more about nature and the water cycle.
Goodnight Already!
Jory John, illustrated by Benji Davies
ISBM: 9780062286208
Poor bear is exhausted, but his neighbor Duck is a night-owl, and an awfully persistent one. Will Bear ever get his sleep? (Maybe don't read this to very new parents - it's a "sad" ending for the Bear.)
Showing posts with label bears. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bears. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Tuesday Storytime: Teddies and Bears
I love that teddy bears exist. I especially love that we have picture books about actual wild bears, about "real" bears who act in anthropomorphic or unnatural ways, and even books about stuffed teddy bears! I picked a set today that focused on "real" bears, across a spectrum of natural to fantastical situations.
My Friend Bear
Jez Alborough
ISBN: 0763605832
This sequel to Where's My Teddy? showcases the joy of making a new friend.
Eddie (a little boy) and his teddy bear (named Freddie) are walking in the woods where they encountered the bear from Where's My Teddy? when they come across the giant teddy once more. This time tho, Eddie finds out that the bear is lonely and friendless too, and after a bit of a mix-up involving a talking teddy bear, the two spend a day becoming fast friends. Great rhyming cadence, lovely word-play, and cute lighthearted illustrations.
Bear is Not Tired
Ciara Gavin
ISBN: 9780385754767
Sequel to Room For Bear (super cute about chosen families) talks about the fear of missing out.
Winter is coming, and for most of the Duck family, that's no big deal. But not for Bear. He has to hibernate, and he is really unhappy about being asleep while everyone else is up, and missing all the fun and getting left out! This not-so-subtle comparison to early bedtimes and naps is actually handled really sweetly and with cute illustrations of Bear getting more and more tired, until "every sound was a lullaby" and "nothing made sense anymore." The solution that Mama Duck comes up with to welcome Bear back to the waking world in the spring is cute and sure to resonate with little ones who are SURE they've missed something.
Every Autumn Comes the Bear
Jim Arnosky
ISBN: 0399225080
Oversized, fall-off-the-pages dark and visceral paintings are a bit scary, but the story is calm and measured.
Arnosky doesn't shy away from a scary picture, and there are a few here, not least of which is the cover. A VERY large, black, hairy-scary bear is so big that all you can see are clawed feet and the tip of a nose, and a BIG black furry shadow looming over the whole book. Inside is equally realistic. A sere fall-winter landscape is cold contrast to this looming black presence, with a bright red mouth and tongue, and sharp white teeth and claws. Despite the intense illustrations, the story is calm and matter of fact, with few words and not really any emotional resonance: the bear simply comes, notices things, does a few things, and finds a den to sleep away the winter in. It's a very interesting dichotomy, and I think the dark and powerful images made quite a few of the parents uncomfortable, but the kids loved it.
My Friend Bear
Jez Alborough
ISBN: 0763605832
This sequel to Where's My Teddy? showcases the joy of making a new friend.
Eddie (a little boy) and his teddy bear (named Freddie) are walking in the woods where they encountered the bear from Where's My Teddy? when they come across the giant teddy once more. This time tho, Eddie finds out that the bear is lonely and friendless too, and after a bit of a mix-up involving a talking teddy bear, the two spend a day becoming fast friends. Great rhyming cadence, lovely word-play, and cute lighthearted illustrations.
Bear is Not Tired
Ciara Gavin
ISBN: 9780385754767
Sequel to Room For Bear (super cute about chosen families) talks about the fear of missing out.
Winter is coming, and for most of the Duck family, that's no big deal. But not for Bear. He has to hibernate, and he is really unhappy about being asleep while everyone else is up, and missing all the fun and getting left out! This not-so-subtle comparison to early bedtimes and naps is actually handled really sweetly and with cute illustrations of Bear getting more and more tired, until "every sound was a lullaby" and "nothing made sense anymore." The solution that Mama Duck comes up with to welcome Bear back to the waking world in the spring is cute and sure to resonate with little ones who are SURE they've missed something.
Every Autumn Comes the Bear
Jim Arnosky
ISBN: 0399225080
Oversized, fall-off-the-pages dark and visceral paintings are a bit scary, but the story is calm and measured.
Arnosky doesn't shy away from a scary picture, and there are a few here, not least of which is the cover. A VERY large, black, hairy-scary bear is so big that all you can see are clawed feet and the tip of a nose, and a BIG black furry shadow looming over the whole book. Inside is equally realistic. A sere fall-winter landscape is cold contrast to this looming black presence, with a bright red mouth and tongue, and sharp white teeth and claws. Despite the intense illustrations, the story is calm and matter of fact, with few words and not really any emotional resonance: the bear simply comes, notices things, does a few things, and finds a den to sleep away the winter in. It's a very interesting dichotomy, and I think the dark and powerful images made quite a few of the parents uncomfortable, but the kids loved it.
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Tuesday Storytime: Teddy Bear Friends
And I forgot entirely to post last week's Storytime!
I love teddy bears. So many stories, so many possibilities. This time around we focused on friendship.
The Sniffles for Bear (A Library Book for Bear)
Bonny Becker, Kady MacDonald Denton
ISBN: 9780763647568
Previously reviewed here.
Still adorable, and lots of opportunities for overacting, which is generally a big hit with the little ones.
Where's My Teddy
Jez Alborough
ISBN: 9781442006027
An oversized picture book with faux-naive art centered in a looming (yet unscary) forest.
I have used this book, and it's partner My Friend Bear many times before, but not since I've been reviewing. They're both adorable rhyming patter books that tell a sweet story of a pair of children (human and bear) losing their teddies in the woods, and what happens when there's a bit of a mix-up. Super sweet, super gentle, and a blast to read. Very quick story that feels solid and full, despite the short duration.
A Splendid Friend Indeed
Suzanne Bloom
ISBN: 9781590782866
Thick crayonish lines and bright primary colors make this a visual treat.
This book would be perfect for demonstrating body language. Bear never says a word (Duck has that market cornered) but it's beautifully obvious how he feels about the neverending attentions of his excitable friend. However, by the end, the irrepressible Duck has managed to break through Bear's shell, and the two friends hug it out. So adorable.
I love teddy bears. So many stories, so many possibilities. This time around we focused on friendship.
The Sniffles for Bear (A Library Book for Bear)
Bonny Becker, Kady MacDonald Denton
ISBN: 9780763647568
Previously reviewed here.
Still adorable, and lots of opportunities for overacting, which is generally a big hit with the little ones.
Where's My Teddy
Jez Alborough
ISBN: 9781442006027
An oversized picture book with faux-naive art centered in a looming (yet unscary) forest.
I have used this book, and it's partner My Friend Bear many times before, but not since I've been reviewing. They're both adorable rhyming patter books that tell a sweet story of a pair of children (human and bear) losing their teddies in the woods, and what happens when there's a bit of a mix-up. Super sweet, super gentle, and a blast to read. Very quick story that feels solid and full, despite the short duration.
A Splendid Friend Indeed
Suzanne Bloom
ISBN: 9781590782866
Thick crayonish lines and bright primary colors make this a visual treat.
This book would be perfect for demonstrating body language. Bear never says a word (Duck has that market cornered) but it's beautifully obvious how he feels about the neverending attentions of his excitable friend. However, by the end, the irrepressible Duck has managed to break through Bear's shell, and the two friends hug it out. So adorable.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)