Honey Paw and Lightfoot [Paperback]

Jonathan London (Author), Jon Van Zyle (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

Following the success of their first book, The Eyes of Gray Wolf, this bestselling author/artist combination has teamed up again to create a compelling story about the endangered grizzly bear.
Readers will be entranced by the simple, poetic text, which follows Lightfoot from newborn bear, no bigger than a hamster, to curious cub to adolescent bear, ready to head off on his own. The spectacular illustrations by one of Alaska's premier wildlife artists magnificently portray the intelligence and strength of the grizzly bear. And for readers who want to learn more, there is an afterword providing detailed information at the back of the book.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The author and artist who produced The Eyes of Gray Wolf here poetically and artistically portray a grizzly's birth and coming of age. Borrowing nicknames given to brown bears by native peoples of Eurasia, London's narrative reflects a time-honored awe of the powerful creatures. When Honey Paw meets Old Man of the Mountains, "It was June, the mating moon of grizzlies,/ and that night, under stars,/ the two great bears/ became a pair." Soon after they part company, Honey Paw gives birth to Lightfoot, "a furry ball of hunger" whose adventures fill the rest of the tale. Bear fur, spring slush, river falls-Van Zyle's painterly illustrations capture these textures in full-bleed spreads somewhat reminiscent of Ted Rand's work. Similarly, the rhythms of London's carefully structured verse create simple yet affecting images of the natural world. An eloquent and informative endnote decries the threat of extinction of Ursus arctos. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Ages 5^-8. The story follows Honey Paw, an adult female grizzly, from mating (they "became a pair" ) through the birth and first year of her cub, Lightfoot. An endnote fills in some facts about grizzlies around the world, but young readers will be drawn more to the combination of learning and fun captured in the story of the mother and cub than to the information. The striking double-page-spread pictures insist children see the world in which the bears live: the water, land, and sky are as important as the fur coats and expressive faces of the animals. And, the book's implicit plea for wilderness preservation is eloquent. Mary Harris Veeder --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811820378
• ISBN-13: 978-0811820370
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 9.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,014,962 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Preschoolers LOVE this!!, October 26, 2009

By 

K. Vance (NJ and FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Honey Paw and Lightfoot (Paperback)

My daughter's 3 year old preschool class had a copy of this in their class and it got damaged. The kids were so heartbroken - it was their favorite story - that I just had to get them another. The teacher says they ask her to read it every day. A touching story that teaches children a valuable lesson.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Book, February 1, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Honey Paw and Lightfoot (School & Library Binding)

I like this book because it's amazing. I like the pictures and the words. My favorite part is when Honey Paw has Baby Lightfoot and I hope all you people buy and read this book because it's cute.