Little Bear (An I Can Read Book) [Hardcover]

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

Book Description

Release date: February 21, 1992 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 370L (What's this?)

Enter the world of Little Bear. Children will be entranced by Little Bear's trip to the moon, his birthday party, and his wishes and adventures.

This is the first of the five classic books about Little Bear, introducing the funny and strikingly childlike bear cub and his friends. The combination of Else Holmelund Minarik's simple, yet eloquent, stories and Maurice Sendak's warm, tender illustrations have made this beloved character an enduring favorite among beginning readers.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This is the first I Can Read Book ever, and the first of five classic Little Bear books, expressly designed for beginning readers. Elsa Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak teamed up to create these simple stories that are deeply comforting and lovingly playful. In one story, "Birthday Soup," Little Bear cannot find his mother and presumes she has forgotten his birthday. With the prospect of guests arriving and no cake in sight, he sets out to make birthday soup (all his friends like soup). Just as the gathering is sitting down for soup, Mother Bear shows up with a big, beautiful birthday cake. "I never did forget your birthday, and I never will," she says to her son as he hugs her leg. In "Little Bear Goes to the Moon," Little Bear declares that he will fly to the moon in his new space helmet. Mother Bear tells him to be back by lunch, and he is. The gentle, teasing repartee between Little Bear and his mother will delight young readers, and the spacious layout and large type will encourage them to keep on reading! (Ages 4 to 8)

Review

"These tender and eloquent stories about Little Bear (the first Harper I Can Read Book) are told with a forthright simplicity that is never forced or artificially repetitious." -- Language Arts. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (February 21, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006024240X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060242404
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #539,712 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars remarkable value for Little Bear fans (and their children) February 20, 2003

By audrey TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Else Minarik's Little Bear is a gentle soul -- a bear cub who is a loving son to his parents, an affectionate charge to his grandparents and a good friend to Owl, Cat, Hen, Duck and Emily, the little girl who visits in the summer. The stories are filled with quiet humor, affection and imagination as Little Bear and his friends celebrate birthdays, play games, meet new friends and explore their neighborhood. Your young child will love these stories.

The book itself is a great value. Cover art lies directly on a sturdy binding, and this volume contains the complete contents of three books: Little Bear, Little Bear's Friend and Little Bear's Visit. That's twelve stories, with charming illustrations by Maurice Sendak.

Lovely book, terrific value.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful, heartwarming, and memorable July 12, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I recently found that at 42 I still remember the story of Little Bear's birthday soup and his trip to the moon (especially the illustrations) from my own childhood. It's wonderful reading them to my son.

These are stories that stay with you always.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting June 22, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

The Little Bear books are the favorites in our house. Our three year old son and his ten month old sister actually sit and listen while they are being read these books. Mom and dad love them also. We choose these books first over all the others in our bookcase.