Used-Up Bear (Easy-to-Read Book S.) [Paperback]

C. Carmichael (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Series: Easy-to-Read Book S.

In this poignant sequel to "Bear at the Beach", Bear doesn't think that Clara will love him anymore now that he's old and faded. Full color.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1?Poor Bear looks in the mirror one day and notices that his white fur no longer shines, his button nose keeps falling off, one of his eyes is loose, and he is losing stuffing out of his back. He laments, "Pretty soon I'll be all used up...A worn-out, used-up bear." The sofa animals, those with new fur and solidly stuffed bodies, taunt Bear, leading him to believe that Clara will soon throw him away in favor of one of them. In the end, however, the child surprises her beloved bear with a bright red flannel suit to protect his well-loved body. This is a delightful, easy-to-read story about the strong bond that children share with a special stuffed animal or toy. The pen-and-ink illustrations are awash with soft pastels in gentle lavenders and serene blues, adding to the narrative's warmth. Use it with Barbara Douglass's Good As New (Mulberry, 1989) or as a springboard to Rebecca Caudill's even more beautiful story of love and understanding, The Best Loved Doll (Holt, 1997). All three titles belong in any children's collection.?Lisa Gangemi Krapp, Sousa Elementary School, Port Washington, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Ages 3^-5. Clara has loved Bear a long time, and now the little white teddy is worried that he is too old and shabby to love anymore. Clara's other stuffed animals feed into his anxieties because they've always been jealous of Clara's love for Bear. But just when Bear is ready to give up and put himself in the ash can, Clara makes him a new red flannel suit that spiffs him right up. The story is simple but tender, as are the delicate line-and-watercolor illustrations that are brightened when splashed with the red of Bear's new suit. Media-savvy little ones may note that once in the red suit, Bear is a dead ringer for Po, from the new PBS kiddie show TeleTubbies. Ilene Cooper --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: North-South (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735813051
• ISBN-13: 978-0735813052
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,505,758 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Award-winning author and illustrator Clay Carmichael's new novel "Wild Things" is a 2010 American Library Association Notable Book, a Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2009, winner of the 2009 North Carolina Juvenile Literature Award and a National Association of Parenting Publications Gold Award (NAPPA). Carmichael lives and works in Carrboro, North Carolina with her husband, sculptor Mike Roig. She teaches writing and illustrating and gives talks about about her publishing process and the exotic life of the author. Her picture books are available in many languages. More about Clay: www.claycarmichael.com & www.wincbooks.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching, December 8, 2002

By 

Felicia Aguilar "Bibliophile" (Dallas, TX, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Used-Up Bear (School & Library Binding)

I work in a library and see books of all kinds nearly everyday. Somehow I came across this wonderful little book and fell in love with it. The pictures are adorable and the story line is touching. It made me nostalgic for my younger days, and for my favorite stuffed animal. Whether you're a child or an adult, you will fall in love with Used-Up Bear.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply a great book for children, and fun for adults, December 18, 1999

By 

Zeke Camden - See all my reviews

This review is from: Used-Up Bear (Hardcover)

I don't have kids, and normally my literary tastes run more toward Delillo, Pynchon, Ondaatje and Helprin, but I picked up this book for my new-to-the-world cousin and I have to say, I just loved it. The pictures are so incredibly cute and touching, the story is moving and sometimes sad but with a very happy ending -- let me tell you used-up bear, we've all been there! If you have a kid, or know a kid, or once were a kid yourself, you have to have a look at this adorable book.

5.0 out of 5 stars An entirely excellent book, July 20, 2009

By 

Econ Teacher "k8" (New York) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Used-Up Bear (Easy-to-Read Book S.) (Paperback)

Of all the books I have purchased for my daughter, the entire Clay Carmichael "Bear" books are likely my favourite. This true story is an emotional tale told from the viewpoint of the stuffed bear. It is absolutely perfect in tone and delivery for 4-7 yr olds and beyond.
Bear feels worn out and looks the part compared to other animals so he begins the process of avoiding anything that will make him "more worn out" out of fear of being tossed out as rubbish. His owner surprises him by making him a bear suit to wear, so she can hug him all night and not wear him out. This perfectly parallels a problem we have for my daughter and her stuffed cat. (Said cat now has a cat suit a la Bear, so she will not wear out!) Any parent facing this scenario with a well-loved object of their child's affection, will want this book and idea to preserve the critter and share the story of the security that we all crave.