Customer Reviews

Little Bear (An I Can Read Book and Audio CD)

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

Else Holmelund Minarik's classic "Little Bear" books first appeared in 1957 (along with illustrations by the inimitable Maurice Sendak), and they remain in print today because they are pretty much perfect in every way. Collected in this volume are three separate books: "Little Bear," "Little Bear's Friend," and "Little Bear's Visit."

My children are eight and five, but they still enjoy sitting down occasionally and revisiting Little Bear. Throughout the books, Little Bear's mother is presented as the all-knowing, all-loving, kindly parent figure (you can imagine how much any parent secretly enjoys that!). The illustrations perfectly complement the calm, simple tone taken by Minarik in her tales. They present Little Bear as the typical kid: by turns curious, goofy, sad, frustrated, content, sleepy, joyful. We see the illogic involved in so many of the rites of passage of childhood without ever feeling that Little Bear is being made fun of. No, this is a protected, dear, secure universe concocted magically by Minarik and Sendak, and it's a pleasure to visit it every time you open the book.

In this first book of the Little Bear series, we are introduced to our innocent hero.

Our first story starts by Little Bear telling his mother that he wants something to put on that is fit for the cold. Mother Bear gives Little Bear a hat. But when our little protagonist goes outside, he's still cold. What can mother bear give her son now? A coat, of course. But,again,Little Bear is still cold. Finally Mother Bear gives Little Bear pants, but he's still cold. Then Little Bear asks for a final article of clothing-a fur coat, and after Mother Bear takes off all the clothes she has given him, he realizes he already has one.

The other two stories-In my opinion-are just as heartwarming as the first. I found myself grinning after each of the three conclusions. Minarik's simple text and Sendak's classic drawings make this book the perfect introduction to one of the most loveable characters in children's book history. A must-have for any parent.

R

These four stories about Little Bear and his friends are a charming introduction to the world of reading for beginners. 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. The four stories are: What Will Little Bear Wear?, Birthday Soup, Little Bear Goes to the Moon and Little Bear's Wish.

A soothing alternative to ninjas and power rangers.

The lovely and sweet stories easily capture the attention of my three-year old daughter (who has English as her second language). The stories are beautifully read out, with wonderful background music. Almost every night my daughter and I listen to several Little Bear stories before she goes to bed. We will often discuss the stories afterwards. This is the closest and most cherishable moment between us. The unfortunate thing is that she is most unwilling to turn off the cassette player, which somehow often delay her time for bed.

Little Bear is a book of four simple stories for beginning readers about Little Bear and his mother. In the first story, "What Will Little Bear Wear?," Little Bear's mother helps him find something to wear to keep him warm outside in the snow. In "Birthday Soup," Little Bear thinks his mother has forgotten his birthday and decides to make birthday soup for his friends. As they sit down to eat their soup, Mother Bear comes in with a birthday cake and tells him that she did not forget his birthday, and never will. "Little Bear Goes to the Moon," features Little Bear going on a pretend trip to the moon wearing his new space helmet. Mother Bear has lunch waiting for him when he returns. In the last story, "Little Bear's Wish," Mother Bear tells Little Bear a bedtime story about all of the adventures he has had, providing a nice culmination to the book.

I would recommend this book for ages 3 through 7. Children this age will easily identify with Little Bear's adventures and emotions. They will also enjoy the personification of the animals in the book. In addition, children longing for security will be reassured by the portrayal of Mother Bear's love for Little Bear. This book would be appropriate for parents to read to their young children for enjoyment. Older children who are learning to read will also enjoy the short, simple stories. The simple illustrations throughout the book complement the text perfectly by highlighting Little Bear's adventures. In addition, Maurice Sendak has done an amazing job of expressing the love between Little Bear and his mother with his endearing drawings.

This and the entire Little Bear series are classics: wonderful, witty, warmly illustrated stories of caring that my daughter and I enjoyed reading over and over until she learned to read for herself with these I Can Read books. Read them and you'll love them.

My 6 year old has listened to this CD a million times, reading along with the book, and still hasn't gotten tired of it. We even listen to it at bedtime, as it's very soothing and doesn't have a lot of distracting sound effects to startle her as she falls asleep. We couldn't be happier with it, and I plan to purchase other copies as gifts.

Such happy stories. My daughter learned to read with this book. My son have learning difficulties due to a heart condition and this book motivates him.
Children seem to learn better when they read about animals and positive situations. This book is so very positive that I sometimes read it for myself. It gives a warm happy feeling!