Customer Reviews

Big Bad Bruce

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Our library rates this as a 4th grade reading level. It does have several words that are not part of my everyday conversation (eg raucous, lummox), but they are what make the book ideal for this age group to read and learn words in their context. This would also be a perfect book to read aloud and then discuss in the classroom or at home. The topic of bullying is always timely among the 7 to 10 yr old crowd.

However, my 3 year old boys love this book and even more so, I love to read it aloud to them. The flow of the words and the story line are perfect for reading aloud with lots of expression. We've checked out several of Bill Peet's books and while I love the them all, I think this is among the best for reading aloud. The clear, colorful, playful pictures also keep Bruce and the witch from being too scary for the younger crowd. And I even take the opportunity to reinforce concepts such as mean, bully, and sharing.

Bill Peet does it again with the story of Bruce the bully bear, who enjoys tormenting the smaller animals of Forevergreen Forest.

But, his rude behavior lands him in trouble when he crosses the path of Roxy the crafty, yet kind old witch. She decides to teach Bruce a lesson by baking a magical pie that cuts Big Bad Bruce down to size.

lots of fun,big bad bruce is a big bad bear who gets in trouble for rolling rocks at small woodland creatures,but in the end he is cute and loveable,but still gets in trouble for rolling rocks my 5.5yo thinks its a hoot

i remember when i was really little, my dad reading me this book. it was even better since his name is bruce too! we have a fair pile of bills books here, but big bad bruce will always be the one i love the most. i drew the picture from the front cover onto a birthday card for dad...he was delighted. definatly an awesome book...wish our authors for children these days were as talented!

We read this book a long time ago, but the rhythm of the wording and the beautiful art (with crayon coloring) is great for kids. There's always a moral with Bill Peet and kids and grownups need to be reminded of these timeless truths - braggy people lose, humble people win. All this for only $7 or $8 - we'll probably get all the Peet classics.

I loved Bill Peet books as a child, and I still really like them today. I recently bought the whole set so that my children will have them, and realized that I remember every character and every plot from 20+ years ago when my parents read them to me. They really made an impact on me. The illustrations are cute and captivating, the characters are engaging, the stories and well told, and each book has a meaning. There are few authors who can create such a fine balance in childrens' books.

That's when the trouble started for the denizens of Forevergreen Forest.

It had been "...a quiet peaceful place until Bruce, a great shaggy brute of a bear came wandering out of a canyon one day". When Bruce started feeling frisky, he commenced a campaign of terror, rolling rocks down the hill, shattering logs, flattening brush and leaving no place for the rabbits and quail to hide.

As always, Peet's pictures are delightfully evocative as the badass bear wreaks havoc indiscriminately. Bunnies and birdies scatter from the path of his boulderish bowling balls.

The message of this tale is in the end how hubris will not prevail. Eventually Bruce blunders, and finds himself at the receiving end of same kind of torment that he had previously dished out.

But ultimately there's a happy and redemptive ending. Readers, both children and their parents alike, come a way with a new sense of perspective even as they`re having a lot of fun.

Not Peet's best, but very good just the same.

yesterday at the book store i picked this book up for my 6 year old and she looked at it and really liked it after that night of reading it to her she said"mom, you are right this book is good!" we absolutly love it!! my dad(her powpow) is named bruce and it makes it even funnier when we read it! it is such a great story with great pictures and it is so much fun to read aloud i would recommend this book to anyone!! we are such a fan gonna check out Bill Peets other books, its a hit at our house with all of us! (dad too!!)

I love Bill Peet Books and was impressed with this one!came in good time and in good condition Thanks

This is a book read that one never forgets!! The humor is subtle and the ending delights!! Great for the 6 to 9 year old listener.