Orange Pear Apple Bear [Hardcover]

Emily Gravett (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

In only five words -- four of which are in the title -- Kate Greenaway Medalist Emily Gravett presents a delightful picture book that is "simple and stunning" (The Guardian), and "daring, original, and a joy" (Sunday Times, London).

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 1—A plump brown bear adds a humorous touch to this charming book about shapes, colors, and sequence. Five words, four of which appear in the title, make up the entire text. The cuddly-looking bear changes color and shape as he balances, juggles, and eventually eats the three pieces of fruit before loping off. The front endpapers show oranges, green pears, and green apples with rosy tinges in a line leading readers into the simple and appealing story. The endpapers at the close reveal the telltale remains: an orange peel and the apple and pear cores. Beautiful, softly hued watercolor illustrations loosely outlined in black pen and ink are delightful. Children and adults alike will relish this delectable book.—Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
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From Booklist

Choose five words; paint pictures for words; mix with charm; create original and imaginative book. Voilà—a picture book that exemplifies simplicity at its most creative and entertaining. The four words of the title, combined in various ways, form a visual tale as a bear juggles, interacts with, and ultimately eats an orange, pear, and apple. Stark white backgrounds set off Gravett's loosely brushed watercolor pictures of animal and fruit, which play off of the staccato words to demonstrate how punctuation and intonation can dramatically alter meanings: Apple, Pear goes with an image of stacked fruit, while Orange Bear shows the animal puzzling over his citrus-hued fur. Though the book's design appears artless, it is quite the opposite, skillfully juxtaposing page layouts to maximize the humor of the wordplay. Ideal for prereaders and helpful to those ready to write stories of their own, this will make children laugh and learn as they follow the bear's antics and chant the rhymed sequences of words. Cummins, Julie

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (May 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416939997
• ISBN-13: 978-1416939993
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #246,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Emily Gravett is the author and illustrator of Spells, The Odd Egg, Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears (winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal), Monkey and Me and Meerkat Mail. Her first book, Wolves, was the winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal and the Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor Award for Illustration. Her second book, Orange Pear Apple Bear, a Quills Award finalist and on the shortlist for the Kate Greenaway Medal, was a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year and a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year. Emily lives in Brighton, England, with her partner, their daughter, and the family dog.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hooray for Emily Gravett!, June 10, 2007

By 

Robert P. Beveridge "xterminal" (Lakewood, OH) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Orange Pear Apple Bear (Hardcover)

Emily Gravett, Orange Pear Apple Bear (Simon and Schuster, 2005)

I love Emily Gravett. Wolves is one of the best children's books I've ever come across, and so when I found out Orange Pear Apple Bear was getting an American release, I immediately signed on. This one's almost as fun, though not nearly as dark; not surprisingly, it's all about an orange, a pear, an apple, and a bear. The drawings are brash and fun, and the preschool set should love them. Adults probably won't be as amused by it as by Wolves, but get used to it, 'cause your three-year-old will get a real kick out of it. And deservedly so, 'cause it's a lot of fun. ****

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have!, December 29, 2007

By 

Melissa Christianson "BumbleBaby Mommy" (Yakima, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Orange Pear Apple Bear (Hardcover)

This is a must have for every library. Beautiful watercolor illustrations, fun story, simple patterns. Adored by my 10 month old and her 5 yr old sis.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most ADORABLE children's books I've ever read!, September 1, 2007

By 

N. Sutherland "simplifier" (Lehi, UT USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Orange Pear Apple Bear (Hardcover)

While browsing B&N I came across this book and was instantly smitten by the adorable quizzical look on the bear's face on the cover. With only five simple words this book is surprisingly engaging, endearing, and humorous. This book is an excellent reminder of the pure innocence and preciousness of childhood and the opportunity afforded by motherhood to see that which passes by the window of time and is forgotten all too quickly.