From Publishers Weekly
Warnes (the Little Tiger books;
It Could Have Been Worse) delivers a charmingly illustrated rendition of this favorite children's song starring a close-knit family of bears. As the song lyrics begin "Jesus loves me!/ This I know,/ for the Bible/ tells me so," Papa Bear reads
My First Bible with Little Bear while cozy in bed. Subsequent chipper scenes follow the bears on a fishing excursion, gathering eggs and painting them for Easter, and going out for an evening marshmallow roast, with just-baked cookies in tow. The bears have a cuddly, friendly demeanor that's sure to endear them to a wide range of readers. According to the flap copy, Warnes's wife and son inspired the Mama Bear and Little Bear characters. Musical notation and the lyrics of three verses to the song are including on the closing pages. All ages.
(Feb.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2–Warnes has illustrated this beloved childrens hymn with heartwarming depictions of three bears enjoying a variety of activities in their idyllic forest home. The pictures make it evident that the big, shaggy parents dote on their adorable cub. Together, they work in the garden, tend to the chickens, and go fishing. The father bear reads Bible stories to his child at bedtime, and mother bakes cookies with the tyke. The bears also color eggs to share with the other woodland creatures. Lines from the song are incorporated a few at a time into the spreads, appearing sometimes as dialogue balloons. The pictures, which are rendered in acrylic, water-soluble crayons, and ink, are suffused with the gentle light of a spring morning. The soothing greens and blues of the forest scenes and the warm tones of the bears snug home reinforce the reassuring message of the lyrics. The pictures tell a story of a loving and reverent family, and children will identify with the friendly characters. The musical score is included at the end of this delightful, finely illustrated work.–
Linda L. Walkins, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Brighton, MA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
