Big Black Bear [Hardcover]

Wong Herbert Yee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 27, 1993 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

When Big Black Bear shows up at the Brown Brick House on Sycamore Street, he's not very nice or polite. He barges in, makes a mess, and even threatens to eat Little Girl. Will she be able to teach him some manners?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With this crafty tale of a bear's bad manners, Yee makes a dramatic departure from the orderly composition and restrained text of his excellent debut, Eek! There's a Mouse in the House. The plot remains similar: Big Black Bear, not a mouse, becomes an unwelcome guest in Little Girl's home. Big Black Bear (who comes "Shuffling along on four furry feet / To a Brown Brick House on Sycamore Street") walks in without wiping his paws, takes food before it's offered and doesn't cover his snout when he sneezes. He even threatens to eat his host. Luckily for Little Girl, the big bully has a much bigger mother with strong feelings about etiquette. The surprising twist and lively rhyming couplets enhance Yee's lesson about politeness and generosity, and opaque fields of color and whimsically clumsy figures embolden his illustrations. A successfully navigated directional switch. Ages 1-4.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K-Big Black Bear smells something good in the air and decides to follow his nose. He comes to the Brown Brick House on Sycamore Street. Little Girl invites him inside, and he leaves his manners at the doorstep. His ensuing antics create mayhem throughout the house until another bear, twice his size, appears, reprimands him, and makes him apologize for his rude behavior. The story projects its message through lilting verse and bold, childlike, tempera illustrations. A good choice for youngsters who need some nudging in the right direction-toward showing consideration for others.
Mary Lou Budd, Milford South Elementary School, OH
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (September 27, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395663598
• ISBN-13: 978-0395663592
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 8.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,293,007 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Warm sunny days are outdoor days; bike riding days, running days. Cold, wet, snowy days are indoor days; writing days, illustrating days. In Michigan, there are plenty of days for writing and illustrating. Just as well, I do have to make a living. And I can think of nothing better than writing and illustrating children's books. For more about me and my books visit my blog and website at: wongherbertyee.blogspot.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have Book for the under 5 crowd, March 10, 2001

By 

"catiek" (Madison, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Black Bear (Paperback)

My two daughters (aged 4 and 5) say this is their favorite book. We've been reading it over and over since they were babies. They love the naughty big black bear who turns out to be a child just like them (and is forgiven in the end, of course). The rhyming text is very catchy ("come in, please, wipe your paws on the mat...I'm a big black bear, I don't have to do that"). Don't let your kids grow up without reading this and the other Wong Herbert Yee books!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful!, May 27, 2000

By 

"charlie4" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Black Bear (Hardcover)

Your child may be shocked by the poor manners of the bear who barges into the girl's house. This bear thinks he is one tough cookie...that is, until his mommy sneaks in and sees how he is misbehaving. My 3 year old loves this story. The illustrations are terrific and the story will reinforce good manners. Everytime we read this story, my son says "Mommy, that is a bad bear". Waht a delight! Highly recommended.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Preschoolers love this book!!, November 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Big Black Bear (Paperback)

This book is terrific! My three children have all loved it. My 2-year-old twins have memorized its silly, bouncy, rhyming text, and it still has appeal for my five year old. I have given it as a gift to two other families, who have searched for other copies to pass on to their friends. You can't go wrong with this book. (An added plus -- the child who isn't afraid of "Big Black Bear" is a girl.)