Edward in Deep Water (Edward the Unready) [Hardcover]

Rosemary Wells (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Series: Edward the Unready

Edward, a shy young bear, is not ready for birthday pool parties with high-spirited, grade-school bears.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Featuring the wryly understated texts and drolly detailed ink-and-watercolor art of the Max and Ruby titles, these paper-over-board books introduce the late-blooming Edward the Unready. In each misadventure, the expressive-eyed bear faces a new, decidedly uncomfortable situation. At a swimming party, the lifeguard calls Edward's parents to pick him up after his water wings deflate and he is rescued from the pool's bottom. When a blizzard forces Edward to spend the night at his pal Anthony's house, Anthony's parents realize how miserable their sleepless guest is and dig out the car to take him home. And Edward's first week of playschool is so painful for him that his teacher sends for his parents, announcing, "Not everyone is ready for the same things at the same time." That, of course, encapsulates the message imparted by each of these tales, which inventively reassure kids that it is okay to be "unready." Ages 2-6.

Copyright 1995 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreS-K---Edward is not a helpful role model for young children. In each book, the conclusion is identical--he's just not ready for the given situation. Deep Water features the bear cub at a swimming party, where he is humiliated by the other guests because of his need to wear water wings in the pool. In School, he is dragged into play school and pulled out at the end of the week. In Overnight, the small bear is left to play at a friend's house during a snowstorm. His parents promise to come back soon, but must break their word due to impassable roads, and Edward is inconsolable. In the middle of the night, his host puts chains on the car and follows the snowplow to Edward's home. The books are simply aimed at the wrong audience. Children who are working their way through challenging new experiences need people (and books) to cheer them on and offer them concrete assistance. Parents with sensitivity to their children's developmental stages know their capacities and introduce new experiences gradually, following their leads and supporting them until they have the requisite confidence. The parents depicted here do neither. Wells's characteristically droll, cuddly creations do not rescue the series from its exceedingly counterproductive message. Buy another copy of Watty Piper's classic The Little Engine That Could (Putnam, 1978) to help children bolster their confidence. Mention this series to family therapists for parents who are ready before their children are.

Wendy Lukehart, Dauphin County Library, Harrisburg, PA

Copyright 1995 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dial (October 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803718829
• ISBN-13: 978-0803718821
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 6.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,388,578 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We All Need Our Water Wings Sometimes, November 9, 2006

By 

George Buttner "Agent0042" (Dayton, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Edward in Deep Water (Edward the Unready) (Hardcover)

And in this story, Edward isn't quite ready to let go of his. He's been invited to a birthday party at the town swimming pool. It's Georgina's birthday party and Edward's going, but he doesn't want to leave behind his water wings. He swam without them the last summer, but he's just unready to let them go. So he heads to the party and at first everyone's having a great time. But then the birthday girl starts teasing Edward!

This is a charming story for anyone who's ever been teased or was just unready. I don't agree with what was said in an editorial review about this series not sending the right message. Sure, it's important to drive kids to succeed and reinforce their self-confidence. But sometimes kids *aren't* ready and they need a story they can sympathize with. That's okay.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful series of books - Edward the Unready!, January 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Edward in Deep Water (Edward the Unready) (Hardcover)

Brilliant series of books about a young bear called Edward. The artwork and story are simply breathtaking. One would just love to give the poor young fellow a big hug the troubles he gets in.