Poppy Bear: The Garden That Overslept [Hardcover]

Ruth E. Saltzman (Author)

Book Description

From Today’s Librarian "Beautiful illustrations and rhyming prose bring this bedtime story to life for little ones ages 3 to 7. When Springtime arrives late, Ida and her brother, David, set out to find out why. The first few pages of illustrations are black-and-white drawings of the youngsters searching for budding flowers and trees. They stumble upon Poppy Bear snoring soundly in the barren garden, and the pages become a kaleidoscope of colors. With the children’s help, Poppy sets out to bring the garden to life. Poppy and the children plant seeds, call upon the rain clouds and entice the local critters to prance and dance in the blooming garden. The story’s rhyming cadence will keep children entertained and is an easy read-aloud for parents. The detailed illustrations of spring—among them fat raindrops and a bright butterfly emerging from a cocoon—are nothing short of fabulous. Children will be inspired to find springtime in their own backyard."

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

reS-Gr 2-A pair of children search their garden for clues to explain spring's delay. There they awaken a large, tawny bear and accompany him as he works magic with the contents of his multi-pocketed vest to bring the season to life with a profusion of flora and fauna. He disappears after promising to return next year. Black-and-white sketches appear at the beginning, then Deeter gradually adds color, until a full-page spread bursts with floral color and Poppy's golden, shimmering paws. The realistic depiction of animals calls to mind the work of Jan Brett and the blossoms' details will win gardeners' hearts, but the humans are somewhat stiff and less appealing. Saltzman's text is irregular, starting with awkward verse and trite phrases. The poetry brightens along with the images. Though the story lacks innovation, youngsters may appreciate the celebratory illustrations.

Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

Beautiful illustrations and rhyming prose bring this bedtime story to life for little ones ages 3 to 7. -- Today's Librarian, July 2001

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin/Beyond Words (April 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582700427
• ISBN-13: 978-1582700427
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #645,836 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful illustrations and wonderful story, May 11, 2001

By 

Douglas E. Welch "New Media Consultant" (Van Nuys, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Poppy Bear: The Garden That Overslept (Hardcover)

We received Poppy Bear as a 3rd birthday gift for our son. We have all enjoyed it immensely. We have our own beautiful garden that we inherited from the previous owners of our home. Our son has grown up always having the garden to play in so he took to this book immediately.

I really liked the "Wizard of Oz"-like approach where the book started off in black and white drawings and gradually transformed into colorful, beautiful (and amazingly accurate) depictions of a garden coming to back to life in the Springtime.

The illustrations are first rate and the use of gold inks on some of the pages literally makes the pages shimmer.

You and your children can enjoy this book on a number of levels. It works well as a read-along book, since the pages are so beautiful and bold, but children will also be interested in the story as they grow older.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poppy Bear: The Garden that Overslept, March 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Poppy Bear: The Garden That Overslept (Hardcover)

There is a sweetness to this book that will appeal to all ages. It's a beautiful story that is enhanced by the fact that it is written in a well flowing prose. The illustrations in this book start with detailed black and white drawings, and develop into a rich, boldly colorful visual feast. Poppy Bear is an endearing character who opens children's eyes to the beauty and colors of nature.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Daughter's Favorite is Poppy Bear, March 3, 2009

By 

Eric G. Meeks "Author of The Author Murders" (Palm Springs, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Poppy Bear: The Garden That Overslept (Hardcover)

Almost every night I read a story to my kids. The boys love adventure, anything about pirates or cars or distant lands or space ships.

My Daughter loves Poppy Bear.

When I first looked at the book she'd picked out at the library I groaned inwardly. It was poetry, which I hadn't revisited since youthful dating. But my daughter pushed me on, as daughters can, and as I read it to her she beamed. She points to the flowers as they attain their color, coming to life and exclaims, "See, here they come Daddy." She points to the bear and hugs her own Teddy tighter saying, "Just a little longer and our flowers will bloom too."

It's a precious moment with my little girl I'll remember forever and I hope she will also.

Buy this book. Read it to your kids. The boys may groan a bit at first like I did. But you'll make room for it on your shelf and in your readings with your daughter. Your boys will appreciate the poetry when they get older, and some may like it now. Already they know some of the passages in the book by heart.

Every few months I find my daughter has slipped it in front of me when bedtime is approaching. She has her own copy now that I bought on Amazon. Space ships can wait for another day. I'm reading Poppy Bear.