Customer Reviews

The Teddy Bears' Picnic

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Uncle Jerry & Uncle David unpack their guitar & banjo, sit down in front of the fire & make music. Your rug rats are in for a fine treat as these fine musicians accompany Uncle Bruce's picture story. Long, long ago when this editor was little the radio was her speaker to the world. There were programs for women & children dotted throughout the day on the BBC station & one in particular for the very young, in which could be heard such charming duets as Run Rabbit Run & The Teddy Bears' Picnic. I loved the mellow fellows who sang this charming song. I had not heard this melody in all those years when the book & attached audiotape caught my eye amid a chorus of bear calls & growls, demanding I listen. I never argue with Teddy Bears, especially when they're singing!...

Because I am a deadhead I was drawn to buy this book not only for myself but also for my children. Jerry Garcia is able to tell a wonderful story using music. Jerry and David form a great team and tell great stories together. This book is not only for children but also for anyone who loves a good story teller(s). I would reccommend this book to anyone who has children and to those who want to enjoy a great moment with their children. Jerry Garcia is a legend who's music, book, and spirit will live on with all who were blessed to hear and share in his wonderful music making and now story telling.

We use this great version of Teddy Bears Picnic for storytimes at our library. The illustrations are appealing to the children and the baby boomer moms and dads are pulled in by Garcia's name!

I bought this book for our 3 year old and she LOVES it. The illustrations are adorable! (Her favorite is the Jerry Bear!) The music set to the book is a perfect addition to our collection! A wonderful gift for a family of deadheads! A must buy for all ages!

What do I look for in a kids' board book? Well, let's start with vividly colored, uncluttered pictures, a simply told yet interesting (e.g., imaginative and/or age-appropriate content, some action or emotion) story, repetition of words or sounds, durability, and just enough adult appeal that the reader will enjoy (or at least tolerate) reading it over and over. Extra points if the book's target audience spans a few years, so that the adult can adapt it to the maturing toddler.

Written by famed musicians Jerry Garcia and David Grisman (who insert themselves as the lead musicians in the story), the story is about bears getting together for a picnic and treats, for no particular reason:

For every bear that ever was
Will gather there for certain because
Today's the day the teddy bears
Have their picnic.

Every teddy bear who's been good
IS sure of a reat today
There's lots of marvelous things to eat
And wonderful games to play.


You can hear in the first stanza above a tricky sort of rhythm that's probably made clear when listening to the cassette that comes with some editions of the book. As far as I can tell, however, the board book does NOT come with one. I recommend getting the book WITH the cassette: You'll glide more easily over some of the more difficult words ("unawares"), the verses that sometimes rhyme and sometimes don't, and, let's face it, a fairly uneventful story. (Bears come, have snacks and play music, get tired, and go home.)

FOrtunately, all version of "THe Teddy Bears' Picnic Board Book" have softly colored illustrations (probably watercolors) by Bruce Whatley. Some pictures are uncomplicated bear drawings, others display enough detail to attract the interest of older infants and toddlers. Whatley populates the story with a captivating assortment of bears, varying by size, color, and, especially, clothing. Pages are sturdy, my old copy showed some bear-earred pages, but the binding was in excellent shape.

This is a very good, if not excellent board book, that's especially well-suited for bear fans. While I have not heard the story as played by Garcia and Grisham (remember, it does not appear to accompany the board book), I imagine that a version of the book containing the cassette would make for an enjoyable board book package.

Jerry and David have an amazing ability to create sensitive and intricate music and sing the most endearing words making a song lovely for all ages to enjoy. The children I care for love Teddy Bear picnic, as well as, the whole compilation of songs on "Not for Kids Only." The book/ tape combo is a wonderful gift for baby showers. Moms love the music too because its easy on the ears. Hats off to Jerry and David! They are masters at what they do!

Amazon's ad for "The Teddy Bears' Picnic (Board Book), illustrated by Bruce Whatley, states: "Jerry Garcia joins with David Grisman to create...version of this classic song. A cassette recording is packaged in the back of this new picture book version...." This ad is wrong! The "Board Book" DOES NOT HAVE A CASSETTE. This was a great disappointment to me. I recently bought this because I wanted to give the "board book" with the cassette as a baby gift. In 1999, I purchased several copies of "The Teddy Bears' Picnic" with illustrations (Copyright 1996) by Bruce Whatley, copies that are not board books, are larger, and were packaged with the cassette of Gerry Garcia and David Grisman's music and song! My husband and I kept one set and gave the others as gifts that continue to be loved by grandchildren, young friends, and their parents! These books have been used many times, the cassettes used enough to delight but not enough to be worn out, and both have received good care. Some have appreciated in value. How nice it would be if the "Board Book" had the cassette with it. Of course, a baby can enjoy holding or even chewing a board book earlier than a regular book while listening to parents or grandparents enthusiastically read or sing "The Teddy Bear's Picnic." Children find the drawings delightful. Older people notice that two of the bears look remarkably like Garcia and Grisman. Still, children who won't get to hear Jerry Garcia and David Grisman's musical contribution to this book will be missing something special.

Very cute book. It is nice and thick, so the pages will not get torn or damaged.
It is perfect for a toddler. :)

My 21 month old daughter loves the pictures and chooses this book often for her bedtime read.

I remember my sister (who is a bit younger than I) listening to and reading the teddy bear's picnic and being jealous that she got to have a book by jerry (I was raised in a house with many songs to fill the air)! This is a wonderful song, and though it's been years since I've looked at the story book I still have the tape in my old tape player (and I'm 20!)