Let's Go Home, Little Bear [Hardcover]

Martin Waddell (Author), Barbara Firth (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Series: Little Bear

As Big Bear and Little Bear return home from their long walk in the snowy woods, Little Bear becomes frightened by the strange sounds that surround him, but Big Bear is there to bring him safely home.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

They're back! Little Bear and Big Bear, arguably the most winning ursine specimens since Paddington and Pooh, return to print in a thoroughly delectable sequel to Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? Waddell sticks to much the same successful structure as in the first tale--a peacefully unwinding yarn with minimal plot but a great deal of heart--concentrating here on scary noises rather than on fear of the dark. On a walk through the wintry woods with Big Bear, the ever-cautious Little Bear encounters a number of worrisome sounds (" 'I thought I heard something!' Little Bear said. 'What did you hear?' said Big Bear. 'Drip, drip, drip,' said Little Bear. 'I think it's a Dripper!' ") Big Bear patiently reassures him, pointing out the source of each noise, and when his wee charge finally tuckers out, carries him home to the fittingly snug and cozy Bear Cave, where they finish the day with a story in the Bear Chair in front of a crackling fire. Waddell's pacing is impeccable, neither meandering nor overlong; with just a few strokes of her pencil and the subtlest of shading, Firth gives life, character and a remarkable range of emotion to the winsome duo. Another flawless bedtime story from these talented collaborators, this is family life at its tender best. Ages 3-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

The beguiling bears introduced in Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? (1992) are coming back from a walk in the snowy woods. When Little Bear tells his huge companion about the noises he hears following them (``Plod, plod, plod...I think it's a Plodder!''), Big Bear reassures him (``The plod was my feet in the snow''; and, later, ``That was the ice as it dripped in the stream''). But though Big Bear keeps saying, ``Come on,'' he ends--as big people do when tired little ones lag--by carrying Little Bear. Varying his comfortably repetitive tale with new sounds that Little Bear reports and new words to describe his slowing pace, Waddell again comes up with a well-nigh perfect nursery tale; he even rounds out his own beautifully constructed story with the one Big Bear tells Little Bear back in the cozy cave: the events of their walk home. Firth re-creates these endearing characters in soft pencil and watercolors of mostly brown and snow-shadow blue, in a relaxed style that perfectly captures the affectionate mood. (Picture book. 2-6) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (April 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564021319
• ISBN-13: 978-1564021311
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.6 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,149,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Martin Waddell is the Hans Christian Andersen Medal winner 2004 and two-time Smarties Prize winner. Among his many books for children are the Little Bear and Farmer Duck series. Martin lives in Newcastle in County Down.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You cannot go wrong with this book., October 23, 2001

By 

M. Kehn - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Let's Go Home, Little Bear (Paperback)

This is a cute story about Big Bear and Little Bear. As they are heading home from a walk in the snow, Little Bear becomes concerned that he has heard "plodders", "drippers" and "ploppers". Big Bear points out the source of these noises, and eases Little Bear's mind. This book is cute, funny, comforting, and an easy read. It is a good bedtime length (not too long) book. I think Martin Waddell is a fantastic children's book writer, and I highly recommend this book for children up to 8 or 9.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, March 8, 2000

By 

Missy Rinaldi - See all my reviews

This review is from: Let's Go Home, Little Bear (Paperback)

My two year old really loves this book! We snuggle up to read this and my two yr old, holds tighter and tighter as the book progresses. The content is exciting, the illustrations are great-what more is needed? Great story!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still a great book, October 23, 2007

By 

D. J. Sokatch - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Let's Go Home, Little Bear (Big Bear & Little Bear) (Hardcover)

I read this book to my daughters when they were younger. They are in college now and still recall our reading of this book as one of their favorite childhood memories. What more can a daddy ask of a book?