Customer Reviews

Berlioz the Bear

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

My 5 year-old daughter loves this book. Not only are the illustrations fascinating and detailed as in all of Brett's books, but the story is very charming and funny. The surprise ending will make you and your child giggle for certain.

Some of my students over the years have found the illustrations a bit too busy, but they love the story of the bear and his musical friends.

Wonderful Heidelberg folk motif. I found a used paperback and liked it so well that I bought the hardcover. That says it all.

I've never heard the name Berlioz before reading this book. Oh well, that's no big deal. Berlioz proves to be a likeable guy, even though he doesn't really do anything. He doesn't come up with a great plan to save the day or anything. In fact, he CAUSES the conflict of the story. You see, he's all worried about the performance he and his band have to give and he's not paying attention to the road. He's lucky he doesn't run a stop sign and get hit by a train. Instead he get stuck in a pothole. A bunch of folks offer to help pull him out but no one succeeds. Then a little bee ends up saving the day. And that seems to be the story of Berlioz the Bear.

This is another fun book that my toddlers love to read ~~ ok, have mom read to them. This one is fun to read ~~ with a band of traveling bears. They are getting ready to play at a ball in a nearby town when their wagon hits a hole in the ground and a wheel gets stuck ~~ then their donkey decides to sit. A bunch of animals offer to help but none of them were strong enough to get the wagon of bears out of the hole. Till an angry bumblebee flies out of one of the instruments and stings the donkey into action.

How clever is that! If my toddlers were older, I know they would laugh with glee. I did!

This is another book to add to your collection of Jan Brett's books ~~ she's a guarantee when it comes to entertaining children and their parents with beautifully illustrated books and wonderful storylines.

2-4-04