Bear's Bargain (Paperback)

~ (Author, Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Bear and his constant companion, Little Bird, are back to gladden hearts in Asch's new book. Deceptively simple pictures in his inimitable style and glowing colors highlight features of the story about the friends' agreement. "I wish I could fly," says Bear. "I'll teach you," says Little Bird, "if you'll teach me to be big." It's a bargain, but no matter how much Bear makes the bird eat and exercise with tiny barbells, he stays Little. Then Bear's garden yields a baby pumpkin that gives him an idea. Drawing a likeness of Little Bird (complete with his chic derby) on the gourd, Bear thrills his buddy with the sight of himself, a really big fellow, when the pumpkin is full grown. And Little Bird reciprocates as Asch's charming tale proves there's more than one way to realize a dream. Junior Literary Guild selection.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Bear wishes he could fly like Little Bird, while Little Bird longs to be big and strong like Bear.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (May 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671678388
• ISBN-13: 978-0671678388
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 7.7 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,542,304 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Frank Asch Story!! (Bears Bargain), July 11, 2005

By	Pam Tee "Harmless" - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Bear's Bargain (Hardcover)

Frank Asch is on my entering kindergartener's Summer Reading List and I (we: boy and girl; 3 and 5) can certainly understand why. His stories are gentle and cute and wonderfully illustrated. AND... this is one of his best.

In this story Bear and Little Bird make a bargain. Bear will help Little Bird to get 'bigger', and in exchange Bear will be taught how to fly.

There's a problem though. Despite a healthier and bigger meal plan with exercise, Bird doesn't get any bigger. So what will Bear do to fulfil his part of the bargain?

Give up? Bear gives Little Bird a pumpkin seed and teaches him how to plant it and care for it. When the pumpkin fruits, Bear cleverly etches a picture of LB on the skin, so that when the pumpkin is finally huge and orange, LB *is* bigger (by proxy-LOL).

[As a side note: I love that Asch draws pictures of the seed as is sprouts, grows roots, and changes from its false-leaves to real ones.]

But then there is the problem of how Bear is going to fly. Give up? You'll have to read this delightful story of friendship and imagination.

Five Stars. Great book filled with gentle, interesting content.

**Note: there are cute stories at the www.frankasch.com website read by the author. My kids love it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How friendship makes all things possible!, February 17, 2005

By	Molly Grue "Renaissance Woman" (SF Bay Area, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Bear, the protagonist of Frank Asch's Moonbear series, is back with his best friend, Little Bird. When Bear wishes he could learn how to fly, Little Bird promises to show him how, if Bear will teach him how to be big. Bear cooks generous meals for Little Bird and teaches him to lift weights with the tiny barbells he has made, but Little Bird remains little. And no matter how carefully Bear follows Little Bird's instructions, he cannot learn to fly. The clever ways the two friends help each other fulfill these impossible dreams will satisfy readers of all ages. Lovingly written, beautifully illustrated, this book is a real treat.