A Kiss for Little Bear (An I Can Read Book) [Paperback]

Else Holmelund Minarik (Author), Maurice Sendak (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 1 and up

Grandmother likes Little Bear's picture so much she sends him a thank you kiss. "Will you take it to him, Hen?" she says. Hen passes the kiss to Frog who passes it to Cat who passes it to Little Skunk until Hen decides there is too much kissing -- and finally gives the kiss to the Little Bear.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A little Little Bear book with very little of Little Bear and with illustrations shadowed by the ominous overtones of Higglety Pigglety Pop. The story is a single brief episode: Grandmother asks Hen to take a kiss to Little Bear in thanks for the (monster) picture he has sent; Hen, distracted, passes the kiss on to Frog, who passes it on to Cat, who passes it on to Little Skunk, who gives it to a pretty girl skunk, who gives it back. . . starting an exchange of kisses that has nothing to do with Little Bear but which he watches fixedly from behind a fence. Then Hen puts a stop to "too much kissing," retrieves the kiss, delivers it to Little Bear, and refuses to take one in return. The skunks decide to get married; everyone comes; Little Bear, as best man, kisses the bride (while the groom scowls). Well. While ruminating, we scanned the quotes re earlier books on the back flap: "reassuring. . . family tenderness. . . atmosphere of love. . . charming childlikeness of Little Bear's delights." Hardly, albeit a droll vignette; have a look. (Kirkus Reviews) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Else Holmelund Minarik first introduced readers to her timeless character in the classic Little Bear. Publication of this book, with illustrations by Maurice Sendak, launched the I Can Read series. This much-loved author continues to write stories for children at her home in North Carolina.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 1 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 18, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064440508
• ISBN-13: 978-0064440509
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,443 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( S ) > Sendak, Maurice
  • #33 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Series > Early Reader > I Can Read Books
  • #39 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Family Life > Parents

More About the Author

Else Holmelund Minarik first introduced readers to her timeless character in the classic Little Bear. The book's publication, with illustrations by Maurice Sendak, launched the I Can Read series. This much-loved author continues to write stories for children at her home in New Hampshire.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars cute story for beginning readers and/or Little Bear fans, January 16, 2003

By 

audrey (white mtns) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Kiss for Little Bear (An I Can Read Book) (Paperback)

This story about Little Bear is a charming introduction to the world of reading for beginners, especially for those who are already familiar with this gentle cub and his friends. Little Bear is a sweet child to his mother and father, and a good friend to Duck, Hen and Cat. Minarik's simple narrative will be easy enough for young readers, and Sendak's illustrations will hold their attention.

In this story, Little Bear draws a picture for his grandmother, and asks Hen to take it to her. When Grandmother sends a kiss back to Little Bear, Hen carries it until she sees some friends, then she passes it along to Frog, who carries it until he sees a pond and passes it on to Cat .... This is a fun story with a few simple lines and large illustrations on each page. Kids will enjoy the funny ending (and so will you).

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Adorable, June 20, 2008

By 

Karen Joan "Siren" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Kiss for Little Bear (An I Can Read Book) (Paperback)

A Kiss for Little Bear is a charming story about a young bear who draws a picture for is grandmother. Not surprisingly at all, this picture looks like one of the monsters from "Were the Wild Things Are." Little Bear has his friend Hen deliver the picture to Grandmother Bear. She is so delighted with the drawing that she sends Hen back to Little Bear with a kiss for him. The simple kiss gets passed on, friend to friend ("telephone style") until it finally gets to Little Bear. Little Bear ask Hen to take a kiss back to Grandmother Bear. But Hen refuses because "kisses get all mixed up." In the end, the girl and boy skunk get married, because they enjoyed the kissing. It is all very sweet and innocent.

My copy is 40 years old. I remember my mother reading this to me. It was then passed to my aunt to read to her children. When I was pregnant, my aunt gave it back to me. I love reading this enchanting story to my daughter. We giggle and trade kisses and have a great snuggle right before bed. This is another memory filled classic that I am truly thrilled to be able to pass on. Highly recommended.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF MY FAVORITE LITTLE BEAR BOOKS, December 12, 2006

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Kiss for Little Bear (An I Can Read Book) (Hardcover)

I felt the art work in this one was probably some of the best in the series and I did love the story. The story is simple, Little Bear sends a picture to his grandmother and it is taken to her by Hen. Grandmother, upon reciept of the picture wants to pass along a kiss to Little Bear. The kiss is passed from animal to animal until Little Bear receives his gandmothers kiss via the Hen. The story is cute, the illustrations are great and the kids love it. What more could you want. JUST A NOTE: I almost never refer to the review by another reviewer. In this case I will make an exception. There are Kisses and there are Kisses. I kiss my grandchildern all the time. I kiss cats and dogs and have even kissed a frog in my time. I can assure you there is nothing inappropriate in these kisses. It is an action as old as the human race. As to the skunks kissing, just what is so bad about that. You have a girl skunk that kisses a boy skunk, they enjoy it, they enjoy each other and then they get married. And this is bad? I can remember years ago first kissing my wife. We were all of fifteen years old at the time. We kissed for several more years, got married, had wonderful children and now have wonderful grandchildren and hope soon to have wonderful
great-grandchildren. This is bad? I frankly thought this was a good, healthy thing to add to this story and am glad the author did. Even at the age the book is targeted for, the wee ones should know about kisses. Recommend this one highly.