Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? [Hardcover]

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

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 1986 | Age Level: 2 and up

Jesse Bear, what will you wear?

What will you wear in the morning!

My shirt of red

Pulled over my head

Over my head in the morning.

And so Jesse Bear starts his day. It isn't really an unusual day for a little bear, but the weather is warm and sunny and just right for all the things Jesse Bear enjoys doing -- like playing in his sandbox, chasing butterflies, and swinging in his swing.

At the end of the day, a tired Jesse Bear is ready for bed, and for wearing

Sleep in my eyes

And stars in the skies

Moon on my bed

And dreams in my head...

Lilting verse and exuberant paintings combine to make Jesse Bear's day a very special one indeed, in a book that even the youngest readers will want to return to again and again.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Readers who enjoyed Degen's book Jamberry will most likely appreciate this one too, written by first-time author Carlstrom. It's illustrated with the same bright colors and sweet style that characterized Jamberry, and is written in similar breezy rhymes. The book follows a young bear through a day as he playfully "wears" not only his shirt and pants, but also the sun on his legs, sand on his arm, his mealtime chair, his bathwater and bubbles, and finally, "Sleep in my eyes/And stars in the skies/Moon on my bed/And dreams in my head/That's what I'll wear tonight." Ingenuous yet never coy, this is an appealing book to share with a young child.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2 "Jesse Bear, what will you wear? /What will you wear in the morning?" wonders Jesse's mama. Throughout his day, Jesse proudly wears not only clothes ("my pants that dance in the morning"), but the sun, his highchair (and, inevitably, his "juice from a pear /and rice in my hair") and the bubbles in his bathtub too. The rhymes, besides having a charming lilt to them, are clean and catchy and beg to be recited. The illustrations, watercolors with pen and ink, combine freshness of color with freshness of attitude, and the result is a cheery, uncluttered exuberance. Words and illustrations interplay beautifully, each enhancing the other's brightness. The youngest members of the audience will love following the day's progression from morning to noon to night and recognizing familiar activities from each time of day; all of this is laid out simply and with great appeal. The double-page spread of Jesse's father's return home from work actually beams, seeming larger than the size of the pages. There's much for a child to recognize in this book: not just physical objects but attitudes, habits and relationships, too. Jesse Bear celebrates, and does more than justice to, youngsters' joy, pride and comfort in their own independence as they try on their own familiar environment and find that it fits. Liza Bliss, Central New England College, Worcester, Mass.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (April 30, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 002717350X
• ISBN-13: 978-0027173505
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #443,502 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

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars perfect for our almost 2 year old, June 24, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? (Paperback)

As she approaches her 2nd birthday, our little girl is getting to the point now where simple board books are too boring, but lengthy stories are still too much for her to absorb. We stumbled across this Jesse Bear book somehow, and it's perfect for her. The illustrations are bright and pleasing. Plus, she can really relate to Jesse's typical day- getting dressed, playing, eating, Daddy coming home from work, bathing, and going to bed. Now I just need to find more books like this! One recommendation: If your child doesn't tear pages, I'd get the hardcover edition. First, I borrowed the hardcover from our library and then I ordered the board book from Amazon. The board book is much smaller than the hardcover, so now my daughter asks for me to read "BIG Jesse Bear book," and I have to explain that we only have the small one!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?: excellent children's book, December 2, 1999

By 

Betsy Terwelp (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? (Hardcover)

Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?, is an excellent book. This book focuses on younger children, but is interesting and fun for all to read. I am currently 16 years old and I have owned this book since I was very little. One can tell by the condition of the cover it was a very well liked bedtime story. The story tells of Jesse, a little bear cub, and what he does during the day. Jesse goes through the story telling what he wears for every activity he does, whether it is sand, a shirt or his pajamas. Jesse is a very mischevious, and spunky little cub who will keep you paying attention throughout the story. This book has great illustrations and will be treasured forever.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My kids know it's my favorite, August 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? (Board book)

If it's past bedtime, my 10 year can pull out Jesse Bear and lure me into reading with him a little bit longer. We've been reading this for 9 years and I still love it. The illustrations are lovely. The cadence of the book is fun! I almost sing the words and the final few pages have created a ritual of "three kisses' and "hugs" and a tranquil feeling from the last page. What a beautiful place to live. It's a great gift book for younger kids, new moms or just to have for a special 10 minute reading period with your kids. Great last book before bedtime book!!!

Lena