Bear Has a Story to Tell [Hardcover]

Philip C. Stead (Author), Erin Stead (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: September 4, 2012 | Age Range: 2 - 6 years | Lexile Measure: 540L (What's this?)

It was almost winter and Bear was getting sleepy.

But first, Bear had a story to tell...

Bear found his friend Mouse, but Mouse was busy gathering seeds and didn't have time to listen to a story. Then Bear saw his friend Duck, but Duck was getting ready to fly south. What about his friend Toad? He was busy looking for a warm place to sleep. By the time Bear was through helping his friends get ready for winter, would anyone still be awake to hear his story?

This endearing story of friendship and patience is a worthy companion to Philip and Erin Stead's last collaboration, A Sick Day for Amos McGee, winner of the 2011 Caldecott Medal.

 

Bear Has a Story to Tell is a Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2012

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 2-Before hunkering down to hibernate, Bear wants to share a story with his friends, but Mouse, Duck, Frog, and Mole are too busy with their own winter preparations to listen. Months later, Bear wakes up and is eager to reunite with his pals and finally tell his tale. He "clear[s] his throat," "puff[s] out his chest," and then, much to his chagrin, forgets what he wants to say. His friends offer prompts that jog his memory: "Maybe your story is about a bear," "Maybe your story is about the busy time just before winter," "there should be other characters too." In lovely circular fashion, the ending has Bear sitting on a log beginning his story that readers will remember as the first sentence of the book. Erin Stead's exquisite pencil and watercolor illustrations capture the beauty of the changing landscape with falling leaves, first snowflakes, and starry evenings. Bear's nurturing acts of kindness are also conveyed, from raising a paw to check the wind direction as Duck flies away to gently tucking Frog under a warm blanket of leaves and pine needles. The rhythms of nature and of storytelling are in fine form here.-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canadaα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

“The universal desire to narrate our lives is at the heart of Philip C. Stead’s delightful and instructive ‘Bear Has a Story to Tell.’” —The New York Times Book Review

"The rhythms of nature and of storytelling are in fine form here.”—School Library Journal, starred review

"...especially soulful….The quiet suggestion that no one has all the answers is just one of the many pleasures the Steads give readers.”—Publishers Weekly, starred

“The creators of the Caldecott-winning A Sick Day for Amos McGee (2010) offer another charming story about the reciprocal nature of friendship…” —Booklist

"Quietly entrancing." —Horn Book

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 2 - 6 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Roaring Brook Press; First Edition edition (September 4, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596437456
• ISBN-13: 978-1596437456
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 9.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,144 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #32 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Bears

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a winner September 10, 2012

By Elizabeth Rose Augustine

Format:Hardcover

I was eagerly waiting for this book's release since I fell in love with Erin's Stead's last illustrating project And Then It's Spring. Here the husband/wife duo shine as they did in Amos McGee. I am so eager to see them produce more work! This title is printed on nice, thick paper that just feels GOOD in your hands. It's one of those small details that really make a big difference because it makes you realize that you are holding a gem... something to savor slowly and deliberately with a child.

One thing to note: I read this book in early September. It really would be better (in this part of the country anyway) to save this for an early November reading. The sun is still shining bright around here and there's only a hint of crispy air in the morning. This book evokes late fall feelings... the preparations for winter and such.

There is no overarching moral message here or intricate details of adventure (much like the Spring book)... just a lovely, simple seasonal read that you'll want to experience curled up on the couch with a child and a quilt: books that invite moments like those need to be on everyone's bookshelf.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story, gorgeous artwork. An instant classic! September 8, 2012

By Jeremy Schneider

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Steads have hit another home run with their follow-up to A Sick Day for Amos McGee! Bear Has a Story to Tell is a beautiful story that follows Bear as he tries to tell one last story before his long winter sleep. Bear's gentleness and patience is magnificently illustrated through Erin Stead's unique and subtle style. The pictures will make you want to pull Bear right off the page and give him a big hug!

It is a fantastic book for children of any age and sure to be a classic!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Friendship and Patience November 23, 2012

By Nancy VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

This simple story has a big message about friendship and patience.

It is almost winter and Bear has a story to share with his friends before his big yawns put him to sleep for a very long time. As he approaches Mouse to ask if he would like to hear a story, Mouse is distracted with his need to find seeds to get him through the winter, so being a good friend, Bear helps him to gather what he will need, but when the time comes for the story, Mouse is already burrowing in until spring.

The story is not much different with his friends Duck who is getting ready to fly south. Bear is a good friend, he help Duck to take flight for warmer parts.

Oh, there is Frog, surely he would like to hear a story, but alas, Frog needs to find a warm place to sleep. Bear cannot let frog down so he sets off to make the perfect bed for his friend.

As the first snowflakes begin to fall, Bear too must find a place to burrow in for the long winter months. As the season passes and the snow melts Bear can tell his story, but first Bear must make sure his friends are ok.

As story time rolls around, all his friends wait for the tale that Bear has longed to tell - if only he could remember it.

A sweet story about sharing and caring and what it means to be a friend.