Customer Reviews

A Story for Bear

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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I am a 50+ year-old collector of children's books, and this one is now at the top of my list of favorites -- I would nominate it for every book award! Anyone who has been read aloud to, or has enjoyed reading to someone else, will appreciate the bond between the woman and the bear she reads to at her cabin one summer. The bear, like a young child who cannot understand all the words read to him, still feels their magic and warmth, and is no less involved in the woman's stories than a more sophisticated reader who can analyse narrative point-of-view or the logical intricacies of plot structure. The letter from the woman's parents which the bear finds at the beginning of the story lets the reader know that this woman has enjoyed this special cabin since childhood, and that she apparently returns here every summer. For the bear, this paper, with its mysterious marks on it, becomes a special and almost sacred object. Similarly, the woman's books, which she leaves behind for the bear in the fall, become treasures which he delicately takes to his cave and which fill his winter dreams with warmth until the woman will return to read to him again. In an almost mythic way, this story communicates what is most essential about reading -- the experience of being swept away by the mysterious power of the spoken word, and treasuring the moments when we shared this experience with someone else.
I love the story of this book, but I really was most drawn to it by the illustrations which are superlative in every way -- especially the rendering of this sweet. perplexed, and often astonished bear. I now am ordering another copy for a friend, who is also over 50 and shares my love of books and cabins in pine forests.

One summer day, a bear strayed far from home, and found himself in a clearing, watching a woman reading. "Sometimes, as she gazed at the book, she laughed out loud. Other times, she lowered it and looked away, but without really seeing anything, he thought. Still other times, she appeared afraid and held it tightly, And once, when the sun slanted through the trees, he saw her place it gently on her lap and close her eyes..." The bear was mesmerized, and came back day after day to watch the woman read. One day the woman notices the bear and calls to him. He cautiously lumbers over near her chair, lies down, and she begins to read aloud. "The bear gazed up at her as she said the words and turned the pages. He couldn't understand any of what she was saying. But as he listened to the sound of her voice, happiness washed over him like waves." And so the summer continued, until one day, as autumn approached, the bear arrived at her chair in the woods, and she was gone. "There, under the tree where she usually sat, were her books. There were many of them, more than he had ever seen, lying on a cloth, fallen leaves and pinecones on their covers." Slowly and carefully he took each book back to his cave. "And all that winter, before she came back in the spring, whenever he put his nose to the pages or touched the covers with his claws, she was there..." Dennis Haseley's eloquent text is quiet and heartwarming, and filled with magic. But it's Jim LaMarche's engaging, dreamy and expressive artwork, in soft and appealing earthtones, that really makes this picture book stand out. Together word and art send a gentle message about the joys of reading and being read to, that won't be lost on young children. Perfect for youngsters 3-7, A Story For Bear makes a wonderfully soothing and reassuring bedtime story that little ones will beg to read again and again.

I'm not in the habit of reviewing children's books, but something special compels me to write a little about this one. I got this handsome hardcover as part of a payment for some contract work, and I was touched by the story's tender narrative and peaceable message.

The bear of the title finds a note in the woods. One day, he notices a woman reading some books outside of her summer cabin. The bear comes closer until he develops a relationship with the woman, and she reads to him every day until she has to leave for the winter. She leaves the bear her books, and when he hibernates with them, he is reminded of his friend and the fond memories they shared.

I'm not sure what's so touching about such a simple story, and my summary hardly does it justice. I think it may be partially due to Jim Lamarche's illustrations, a kind of child-like (but excellent) kind of pastel crayon/colored pencil motif that manages to touch on the primeval aspects of youth still dormant in all of us jaded, twenty-something adults. A Story for Bear has just the right blend of magic and emotion to make it a favorite for adults and kids alike. I would certainly have no objections reading it twenty, thirty, or a hundred times to my youngsters (when I have them!) Until then, I'm content to browse through it myself, and let my mind wander back to the innocence and wonder of a world where bears and people read together, and the simplest of feelings mean the entire universe.

A Story For Bear, written by Dennis Haseley, was completely over looked by the Caldecott Committee. Truly an injustice has been done to this wonderful story. A bear stumbles upon a young woman reading near her cabin. The bear doesn't understand what the young woman is doing. He is enchanted nonetheless and keeps returning to watch her. One day the woman invites the bear to sit near her. When the bear does, she proceeds to read out loud to him. A lovely friendship ensues between them as the woman continues reading out loud to the bear each day. When the time comes for the woman to go away, she leaves all of her books for the bear. One by one he collects each book and takes them back to his cave. The illustrations, by Jim LaMarche, are warm and convey a sense of mystery and wonder. As I read A Story For Bear I was taken on an emotional journey. Children will be too.

Preston McClear...

This is one of the most tender, thoughful, whimsical and joyful books in this particular genre I have ever encountered. The story, part fantasy of course, in a way, is tenderly told and has a beat and life of it's own. A bear, captivated by a letter found in the woods finds a new friend. A young lady, obviously seeking the peacefulness we all desire, finds a friend. They both share the love of the written word and the love of books. The soft paintings are an absolute delight and some of the best I have seen. This is one of those childrens books that children truly do enjoy, but I suspect most adults will actuall enjoy it as much as the child, if not more so. Like a previous reviewer, If it were up to me, this one would capture most of the awards given for childrens books. I cannot recommend this one highly enough. Suggest you buy the thing as you will no doubt want to read it again and again. Thank you Haseley and LaMarche! Job well done!

The reviewer for Publisher's Weekly doesn't seen to understand perspective. The story is from the bear's point-of-view, throughout and a simple, trusting perspective it is. The other reviewers have a better grasp on the power (and the flaws) of A Story for Bear. I agree that the letter is perplexing but, as a whole, the book is one I would read to my kids many times over.

As an elementary teacher, I rate this book as excellent for curricular activities on feelings and friendship. It is beautifully illustrated and a tender story for grades K-3.

Every night, my husband reads to my son to help him drift off to sleep. He has read HUNDREDS of books to him over the past few years (my son is 4), but THIS book is not only a favorite of my son's, it is my husband's favorite. After reading this book for the first time, my husband INSISTED I go read it for myself. I have to admit....it is quite possibly the most charming, most endearing, almost mesmorizing children's story I have ever read. It's the perfect story.

This is a beautifully written book that surpasses the realm of "just a children's book". The language is poetic and the story is really touching--it actually brought tears to my eyes! After my 6-year-old read it to me, she put it down and said, "Wow, that was a really good book, mommy. Can we buy this one?" We definately will be buying it, and any others this author writes.

I teach 6th grade, my students love this book! During shared reading I read it to them, they were silent and enthralled. Don't feel this book is for the very young only, it was read to me during my Master's course work and I appreciated it in a whole new way!! I highly recommend this book to all readers, want-to-be readers and those doing the reading to others.
Kat L.