Old Bob's Brown Bear [Hardcover]

Niki Daly (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

A tribute to worn-in, fiercely loved bears

When Emma's grandfather, Old Bob, gets a teddy bear for his birthday, Emma is jealous. Old Bob just puts Teddy on a shelf with dusty books, which isn't loving the bear as Emma thinks he should be loved. With a bit of persuasion, Teddy is allowed to go on vacation with Emma - a holiday that stretches into years packed with tea parties and trips to the beach, until Teddy is a ragged-eared, worn-nosed sort of bear. Which, Emma realizes, is just the sort of bear Old Bob can love.

With spunky watercolors and a story garnished with an unusual intergenerational twist or two, Niki Daly helps close the gap between grandparent and grandchild in this charming ode to the powers of a well-loved bear.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-Emma's grandpa has always wanted a fuzzy-wuzzy teddy bear but when he receives a new one for his birthday, it's obvious to Emma that, "Old Bob didn't LOVE his brown bear." After a bit of a fuss, she is allowed to take Teddy to her house where he gets the full treatment: trips to the beach, cuddles, bubble baths, and snuggles. Teddy's vacation becomes an extended stay, and the new stuffed animal becomes threadbare. Emma grows and eventually abandons him for other toys. A few years later, when Old Bob notices and covets the by-now much-loved bear at the bottom of her toy box, Emma recognizes that the hugged-to-pieces Teddy has become exactly what Old Bob needs. This loving family and their cozy surroundings shine through the lighthearted watercolor vignettes of Teddy's adventures. The alternating full- and double-page illustrations gently but firmly set the story's pace. Both Emma and Old Bob are multidimensional characters; she is a combination of feisty toddler and a bear's best friend and he is a pragmatic adult with a child's sensibility. From the endpapers of the bear cavorting to the sweet satisfaction of the final three-way hug, this touching tale is perfect for one-on-one sharing or as a thoughtful addition to the standard storytime themes of either teddy bears or grandparents.
Carol Ann Wilson, Westfield Memorial Library, NJ
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 1. A little girl watches her grandfather, Old Bob, receive a teddy bear for his birthday. Gran tells Emma that the gift was given because Old Bob never had a teddy bear as a child. What Emma thinks, however, is that Grandpa doesn't love the bear the way it should be loved, so she "borrows" the bear and gives it the kind of life she thinks it deserves--picnics, trips to the beach, bubble baths. A big part of the fun here are the pictures, which fill in what is hinted at in the text--Emma's conflicting feelings. Daly's paintings also show how the teddy bear eventually moves from center stage to a less august place, half-hidden under Emma's bed. When Emma returns Old Bob to its rightful owner, Grandpa can smell all the scents from the bear's various mishaps: "He could smell lots and lots of love." A great read for grandparents and grandchildren. Connie Fletcher
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1st edition (October 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374356122
• ISBN-13: 978-0374356125
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,754,769 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A sweet and poignant tale, February 5, 2011

By 

Z Hayes (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Old Bob's Brown Bear (Hardcover)

This is a charming story about a young girl's relationship with her grandfather, Old Bob. When Old Bob receives a stuffed teddy bear for his birthday (because he never had one as a child), young Emma notices (as only a perceptive child can) that the bear is not really receiving the attention it truly deserves. Old Bob on the other hand can see how much Emma loves the bear, especially when she cries at the end of each visit and refuses to leave the bear behind.

It is a heartwarming tale as readers come to learn what Old Bob really wants of the bear, and how Emma helps Old Bob with this. The story explores the loving relationship between a grandparent and grandchild, and also between a young girl and her favorite toy. It is also bittersweet as young Emma grows up and the bear is no longer a favored toy, just as it happens in real life. This will make a wonderful read aloud, and will make a special read between a grandfather and his grandchild.

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended, August 24, 2007

By 

Robert C. Marcus "Maejaye" (Delray Beach, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Old Bob's Brown Bear (Hardcover)

My two daughters loved this one. It's very entertaining and good as a night-time read before bed.