Every Autumn Comes the Bear [Paperback]

Jim Arnosky (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Each autumn, just before the onset of winter, a bear shows up in the rugged woodland behind a family farm. Via his simple text and large-format watercolor paintings, author/illustrator Jim Arnosky depicts the change of seasons and the ritual of hibernation in "a beautiful, imaginative, and informative approach to natural history for the nursery set" (Booklist). Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Decidedly less friendly-looking than the animal star of The Bear That Heard Crying (reviewed below) is the imposing beast that dominates the pages of naturalist Arnosky's latest offering. This untamed creature is a yearly visitor to the wooded hill behind the author's Vermont farm. In addition to the bear, readers meet a bobcat, a red fox, a grouse and several other woodland animals. The lean, powerful text uses an intimate, conversational tone to tell of typical bear ways: the bear drinks water from a spring, claws a tree trunk and follows forest trails "just to see where each one leads." Each of the full-page watercolors is vibrant, translucent and strikingly composed. Arnosky has mastered the simple knowledge that comes from firsthand observation, and his paintings may elicit from readers the desire to make everyday discoveries of their own. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-With spare text to accompany the stunning watercolor illustrations, Arnosky tells a simple story of the sequence of seasons. Knowing that winter is coming, a huge, black bear appears in the wooded hill behind a farm, searching for a resting place. Menacing the smaller animals who inhabit these woods, he follows each trail until he finds an appropriate den for his long sleep. It is the pencil and watercolor images that provide the excitement here, as each creature in turn is alerted to the bear's presence. Although they remain motionless and seemingly hidden, he knows they are there. One powerful double-page spread depicts a frightened raccoon huddled in a hollow log on which the bear stands as he drinks from a spring. Occasionally, the effort to sound poetic is a bit forced; the word juxtapositions used to create the mood seem awkward, as with the title. Nonetheless, the overall effect created by the few words on each page integrated with the large, colorful illustrations is a harmonious one. The size of the pictures makes this especially appropriate for group sharing, and the subject matter suggests that it could be used with other books about hibernation and the change of seasons. A welcome addition to picture-book collections that should prove to be popular with beginning readers.
Martha Rosen, Edgewood School, Scarsdale, NY
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 9, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0698114051
• ISBN-13: 978-0698114050
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #235,198 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seasonal Book, August 14, 2000

By 

Dale L. Burney (College Station, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Every Autumn Comes the Bear (Paperback)

This is a beautiful, easy to read book, that is excellent for use in the pre-k to 2nd grade classroom for discussions on the seasons and Autumn in particular. It also makes a good choice for classroom units on bears. Arnosky consistently does inspiring work.

5.0 out of 5 stars fabulous illustrations, December 9, 2008

By 

Phillips (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Every Autumn Comes the Bear (Paperback)

This gem of a book follows the footsteps of a beautifully painted bear from fall to winter and his encounters with other wildlife. The illustrations are breathtaking, and the text is simple yet informative. Every page has one to two large printed sentences. My 5 year old loves studying the pictures and helping me read the text. The bear's face is full of different emotions and each scene is very vividly drawn. The author is a very gifted artist. I was delighted to find another 56 of his books in our local library.

5.0 out of 5 stars what happens in the autumn and winter for bears?, November 13, 2008

By 

Karyn W "blckwidow8" (Kansas City, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Every Autumn Comes the Bear (Paperback)

When reading this with my three year old son he liked finding the animals. Raccoons are one of his favorites. And he thought it was hilarious that I suggest he sleep all winter like a bear. The colors in the illustrations are soft and beautiful. We enjoyed reading this one together and I think it is a warming story perfect for autumn time.