Berlioz the Bear [Hardcover]

Jan Brett (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Berlioz is baffled by the strange buzz coming from his double bass, but there's no time to investigate. He and his bear orchestra are due at the gala ball in the village square at eight. But on the way, their wagon gets stuck in a pothole! The solution of the mystery and their problem will delight children. Full color throughout.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"This winning balance between high style and fun will amuse and amaze readers again and again," said PW. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- A wonderful blending of elements into a cohesive, thoroughly entertaining work that subtly introduces young readers to the world of music. While practicing, Berlioz the Bear detects a strange buzzing noise coming from his double bass. On the way to the concert with the rest of the bear band, he is so preoccupied with the sound that he accidently runs the wagon into a hole. The lead animal, a mule, refuses to budge, despite a series of animals who unsuccessfully try to pull the wagon out. At that moment, what should fly out of Berlioz's bass but a very angry bee that takes out its frustration on the mule's hindquarters. The sting does what the other animals failed to do; the wagonload of musicians goes careening into the village at full speed and arrives just in the nick of time. In tone, Brett's cumulative story has elements of traditional folklore, and her spare text begs to be read aloud. Her pen-and-ink, watercolor, and colored-pencil illustrations are richly, often humorously, detailed, and they sweep over each double-page spread. The brushwork is distinct, and the palette is a well-organized blend of earth tones with touches of red and blue. The artist's penchant for borders is evident, here taking the shape of a proscenium arch. The top portion of each arch shows the villagers' preparations for the performance while the side panels depict various animals enroute to the concert. The borders, manner of dress for the animals, and scenery all have a distinct flavor of traditional Austrian and Swiss culture. --Denise Anton Wright, Library Book Selection Service, Inc., Bloomington, IL
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile; First Edition edition (October 11, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399222480
• ISBN-13: 978-0399222481
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,275,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jan Brett is the author of the New York Times bestselling Gingerbread Friends, The Three Snow Bears, and The Mitten, as well as many other classics. She lives in Norwell, Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Art, Good Story, September 11, 2000

By 

Wayne A. Smith (Newark, DE) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Berlioz the Bear (Hardcover)

Brett delivers another book that is richly illustrated and holds the attention of young children.

The story is a simple tale of a bear and his band on their way to a concert. The wagon gets stuck and a menagerie of creatures tries to get them out of their rut. It introduces a number of different animals, which aided our two year old in identifying about a dozen of the "must know" four legged creatures.

The illustrations accompanying Brett's story are terriffic, with vivid colors and rich detail. Each page also has sidebars that foreshadow what's coming next and what has just happened. This prooves to be an excellent technique to keep youngsters in tune with the tale.

My children like it, almost as much as Brett's other book, "The Mitten." A good purchase for the 2-6 year old set.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jan Brett creates a German Bear Band adventure, October 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Berlioz the Bear (Paperback)

My daughter and I love to read and re-read this picture book, looking at all the humorous moments of Berlioz and his Bear Band's trip to a town dance and the side pictures of other animal couples journeying to the celebration. We keep this beautifully illustrated book on display on our living room book case. We have all of Jan Brett's books.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bravo, Berlioz!, July 12, 2004

By 

Trent Dougherty "Socratic" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Berlioz the Bear (Paperback)

This is a cute little story. Berlioz is late for a concert and having trouble with his double bass to boot (a strange and unwanted buzzing noise accompanies his playing). The bandwagon gets stuck in a pot hole and the draft donkey just won't budge. A series of animals in increasing order of size and strength--from a rooster to an ox--think they are the solution, but all fail to move the donkey. In a surprising twist we discover the source of Berlioz' bass's buzzing and the donkey suddenly finds motivation. As a result, they make it on time and we learn that the ability to effect change does not always depend on size and strength. Very nicely illustrated. Each lavish page is framed with marginal drawings which show you the country folk gathering at the village in preparation for Berlioz' concert. This is a nice touch and heightens the drama. There's something almost Aesopian about this delightful book. Highly recommended; a great bed-time story.