A Friend for Growl Bear [Hardcover]

Margot Austin (Author), David McPhail (Illustrator)

Book Description

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

All little Growl Bear can say is " Grr...grrr." And though he doesn't mean to, he scares away all the other animals in the forest. What is Growl Bear to do?

Originally published as a picture book in 1951 and recently reillustrated, this simple, reassuring story of love and friendship is now available in a board book format'just right for preschoolers. All little Growl Bear can say is Grr...grrr. And though he doesnt mean to, hes scaring away all the other animals in the forest. What is Growl Bear to do? Then Old Owl has a wise idea, and soon Growl Bear finds all the friends a little bear could ever want.This simple, reassuring story, which shows that there are always friends around if you just keep looking for them, was originally published in 1951. Now best-selling artist David McPhails charming, warm illustrations bring this book to a whole new generation of readers.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS?Adapted from a text originally published in 1951, and newly illustrated, this book has little to recommend it. The story concerns a bear cub who cannot say anything but "G-r-r-r," and how this utterance is misinterpreted as an expression of hostility by the other animals in the woods. Old Owl eventually guesses that Growl Bear is looking for friends and, presto chango, he has some. This slight plot is scarcely improved upon by McPhail's pleasant, familiar, but unexciting watercolors. Forgettable.?Miriam Lang Budin, Mt. Kisco Public Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Poor little Growl Bear is caught between a rock and a hard place; because he can only growl, not talk, the woodland creatures who might become his friends are frightened away. When an irritated owl tells them that he's actually no danger at all, they return to jeer, still thinking him a bully. McPhail lets the situation play out in spacious, peaceful looking glades, illustrating Growl Bear's dilemma with pale, sketchy scenes of upright, unclothed animals on or beneath pliant, sometimes looping limbs of huge old trees. Seeing Growl Bear's tears, Owl at last understands, and gathering up the cub's erstwhile tormentors, explains that he's not aggressive, just too young to talk. Growl Bear never wants for friends again. Little kids who haven't yet bloomed will understand Growl Bear's frustration perfectly. John Peters

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (February 19, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060278021
• ISBN-13: 978-0060278021
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,285,859 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for adults or kids who feel left out or need a friend, April 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Friend for Growl Bear (Hardcover)

At age 5 I was given this story and it helped me look at my behavior and see if I was scaring off potential friends. Now, as a Family therapist at age 50, I have found multiple occasions to quote the story or to send a client home to read it again. My original copy was returned to me by my older sister at my 40th birthday and today I am sending a copy of this new edition to her son. I know he will learn from and take comfort from it as he grows. I hope he enjoys it on those tough days everyone, young and old, will have. Thank you for the reissue. carol

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Solution to a Tender Bear's Problem, September 27, 2000

By 

Michele Caprario (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Friend for Growl Bear (Hardcover)

Little Bear seems to have trouble making friends simply because he growls his greetings to them. After a visit to the wise Old Owl, however, his problem gets solved in a very delightful way. This book tells a wonderful story about communication, has beautiful watercolor illustrations and is a terrific read-a-loud for ages 3 to 6.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Friend for Growl Bear, September 10, 2002

By 

Amy - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Friend for Growl Bear (Board book)

This reprint from the original 1951 Growl Bear by Margot Austin is delightfully illustrated by David McPhail. McPhail's soft illustrations lead the reader to believe that all will be well, despite any doubts that arise while reading the text. Growl Bear cannot communicate his desire to make friends, all the other forest creatures are afraid he will bite them, for all he can do is growl "Gr-r-r-r-r". The little bear attempts to seek help from the wise Old Owl, who misunderstands and makes matters even worse for Growl Bear. Finally, Growl Bear is reduced to tears. Fortunately wise Old Owl lives up to his name and figures out that poor little Growl Bear isn't trying to scare the others with his "Gr-r-r-r-r", but he is just so very little that he hasn't learned to talk yet! And with a happy smile, all is made well. This is a good book for anyone, of any age, who may have a problem with communication.