Bear Snores On (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Jane Chapman (Illustrator) "In a cave in the woods, in his deep, dark lair, through the long, cold winter sleeps a great brown bear..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

On a cold windy night, an itty-bitty mouse "pitter-pat, tip-toe, creep-crawls" into a sleeping bear's cozy lair, looking for relief from the bitter winter weather. Soon he is joined by a veritable menagerie of woodland animals, and the party begins. Popping corn, brewing tea, tweeting, and chatting, the critters enjoy themselves thoroughly while the bear slumbers through it all. Until, that is, an errant pepper flake from the simmering stew wakes him up with a giant sneeze. As the bear goes from ferocious snarls and rumbles to pitiful whimpers, his uninvited guests realize what the problem is.

You've snuck in my lair
and you've all had fun!
But me? I was sleeping
and...
I have had none!

Not to worry. Mouse knows just what to do.

First-time author Karma Wilson and artist Jane Chapman (illustrator of Phyllis Root's One Duck Stuck) have created a charming little tale of sharing and caring that will have readers of all ages cheering at the humorous finale. (Ages 3 to 7) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

The title also serves as the book's refrain: because he's hibernating, the fluffy, snoring Bear remains oblivious as Mouse, Hare, Badger, Mole, Wren and Raven seek refuge in his cave from the blowing snow and frigid temperatures. Working in soft-textured acrylics, Chapman (Happy and Honey) makes both the biting weather and the warm, womb-like shelter of Bear's cave palpable. The once bedraggled animals perk up considerably, and first-time author Wilson describes the ensuing high spirits with a musical flair: "They tweet and they titter./ They chat and they chitter./ But the bear snores on." There's a moment of tension when Bear unexpectedly wakes up and the uninvited guests wonder if they'll be evicted. But Wilson demonstrates how well she knows her audience: the bear only bemoans the fact that he slept through all the fun; the unwitting host proves that he may be the biggest party animal of all. Ages 3-7.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry; 1st edition (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689831870
• ISBN-13: 978-0689878022
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 10.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (111 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,600 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best in rhyming picture books, January 2, 2002

By	Donna B. "bdbateman" (Bridgeton, MO USA) - See all my reviews

Bear Snores On is Ms. Wilson's first picture book and it is WONDERFUL! Written in flowing, musical rhyme, the structure is flexible, never stilted, to allow the story to unfold as it should. Clever word choices add to the feel of the story, be it the cold winter with "fluff-cold snow" or the animals sharing food and fun ("They tweet and they titter. They chat and they chitter."). A recurring refrain tells us that "The bear snores on" while other woodland creatures gather in his cave to escape the winter weather and end up having quite a party. Jane Chapman's cute illustrations will hold the attention of young listeners as will the story, the word choices, onomatopoeia ("And they nibble and they munch with a chew, chomp, crunch!"), and the refrain, which little ones will love to say along with the reader. And the twist at the end will always bring a smile. This is a book that everyone will want to read over and over again. I'm already looking forward to Ms. Wilson's next book, Moose Tracks, which is due out later this year. Hooray, Karma!

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than what the words say, June 11, 2002

By	Dawn Kessinger (Lima, OH United States) - See all my reviews

While the winter storm rages, bear snores on. Guest after guest arrives in bear's lair, and bear STILL snores on. The story is funny (and has a moment of sadness) without losing meaning. Another delight of the book is the text - not just what the words are saying, but the way the letters are CAPITALIZED and sometimes bold-print, or smaller than the normal type. This really highlights the emphasis on the emotions or activities of the animals, including the bear (whose snoring seems to get louder as the activities around him become more animated). The story seems "just right" - kind of like Goldilocks finding the right bed to sleep in - and the full-page illustrations are great attention-keepers. A book kids will want to read again and again.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book to read, play and read again!, November 22, 2002

By A Customer

I first saw this book in a Discovery Toys catalog and love the fact that I saved more than $5 buying it on Amazon.com

This is the MOST wonderful book. It is our bed-time story every night and my 2 year old knows it by heart. She has learned all of the animals, the noises they make (chew chomp crunch) and shouts BEAR SNORES ON at every page!

This book is beautifully illustrated, simple enough for a toddler but detailed enough for Mom and & Dad to enjoy!

BUY THIS BOOK, you will NOT be disapointed!
We can't wait for Bear Wants More which is due out soon!