Happy Birthday, Jesse Bear! [Hardcover]

Nancy White Carlstrom (Author), Bruce Degen (Illustrator)

Book Description

It's Jesse Bear's birthday -- and everyone's invited to the party!

Bouncy, rhyming text and cheerful illustrations show all the child-pleasing details that surround this happy event. There are colorful decorations, lots of balloons, gaily wrapped presents, new toys to play with, exciting games, a big cake with candles to blow out, goodies to eat, and a special gift from Mama and Papa. Three cheers for Jesse Bear!

Children will be thrilled to join in the fun once again with the hero of "Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?; Better Not Get Wet, Jesse Bear; How Do You Say It Today, Jesse Bear?; " and "It's About Time, Jesse Bear."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The quintessential preschooler, Jesse Bear can't wait until his birthday party begins: "Letters in the mailbox,/ Prizes from the store,/ House is decorated,/ Banner on the door." From the time his guests arrive until Jesse is tucked in for the night, the bear's fourth birthday is filled with traditional treats-musical chairs, a treasure hunt, sack race and a birthday cake-and his parents' special gift, a copy of Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? As in the previous books starring this beguiling bruin (see Notes, p. 72), Carlstrom's bouncy, rhyming text and Degen's bright watercolors are perfectly tuned to the humor and sensibilities of their intended audience. Long on brio and short on plot, the story eschews conflict, focusing instead on the details of Jesse's idyllic day. Degen's endearing pictures of Jesse and his beaming parents, together with the decorative borders filled with striped candy, flowers and party favors, cheerfully support the book's thesis that "parties should not end." Ages 2-6.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Jesse Bear is getting ready for an event close to every child's heart-his birthday. In catchy verse, Carlstrom shows him helping his parents send invitations, buy party favors, decorate the house, and prepare games. Finally, the guests arrive and the fun begins. Degen's familiar illustrations, done in watercolor and ink, are large enough for group viewing and full of spirited activity. His borders here are more elaborate than in previous "Jesse" books, picking up story motifs (e.g., cooking utensils and ingredients on the page showing mother baking the cake; favors, balloons, and decorations on the party scene pages). This is one celebration young readers will return to again and again.
Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community-Technical College, CT
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (September 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0027172775
• ISBN-13: 978-0027172775
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #626,774 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nancy White Carlstrom started writing when she was seven years old and has been writing ever since. She says, "I write when I am happy and when I am sad, and especially when I celebrate God's creation. When you read This Is the Day, I hope it will cause you to look at your world and be surprised by wonder every day of the week."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book- should be in every child's library, May 21, 2009

By 

Susie Q "Susie Q" (Southern USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Happy Birthday, Jesse Bear! (Hardcover)

This story is one of the sweetest picture books I've seen in ages. It tells the story of Jesse Bear's birthday which turns out to be a classic birthday at-home birthday party. (The kind I remember from my youth.)There are a few friends, presents, games like musical chairs and sack races, and even a very simple but enchanting treasure hunt. At the end we see the whole family, sleepy but happy, following a very special day. My 2 year old son and my 4 year old daughter absolutely adore this book and ask for it almost every day. In fact, my son's birthday party was very similar to the one featured in this book because he loves it so much. We ended up purchasing him his own copy and giving it to him as a birthday present. Very highly recommended and worth finding a used copy if not in print.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for 3 year olds!!!!, September 2, 2001

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Happy Birthday, Jesse Bear! (Hardcover)

Again this series of Jesse Bear books are wonderful to read and fun for my grandson! One of the best thing in life are opening the doors to reading to your children/grandchildren.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, esp before birthdays, December 12, 2002

By 

Tripp Ritter (Arlington, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Happy Birthday. Jesse Bear! (Paperback)

Our son (soon to be 2 years old)loves this book. His birthday approaches, so he is excited to hear about birthdays in general. He has also been to a number of other parties recently, which helps. All in all a very happy book.