![The Chipmunk Who Wanted to Be a Bear: A Children's Picture Book on Overcoming Fears of All Kinds (Wantstobe) by [Harmon, Valerie]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51dE41d%2BqCL._SX260_.jpg)
From the Author
The concept for the WantsToBe series (and this is book 5 in that series) came about when the illustrator, Carol Stevens, told bedtime stories to her youngest son. He'd pick two animals and she'd make up a story about them, ending with a mashup of the two animals. He loved those stories and they turned out so hilarious that Stevens wanted to share the story with more children.
She approached author Valerie Harmon, and together they are writing and illustrating stories about animals who imaginatively solve their problem with lots of hard work and sacrifice.
She approached author Valerie Harmon, and together they are writing and illustrating stories about animals who imaginatively solve their problem with lots of hard work and sacrifice.
Most people find the ending very unexpected. There are many children's books that end with a "Be happy with who you are" message. And those are wonderful books with a valuable message. But the WantsToBe series is different.
These books are about working hard for a goal and achieving it, and becoming more than we were before. True, none of us turn into a different animal after achieving a goal. That's just fun imagination at work. But when we work and sweat over a goal, we grow into a person that's a little new. We are not the same. And that's a good thing. We want to be improving and progressing and solving problems. And we want our children to do the same.
"Lately," explains Harmon, "I've been working through some hard things and I've had the refrain, 'Try it for a week' and 'I'm not going to quit now' echo in my head." Surprised that she's been affected by the book's message herself, she says, "I hope this message touches our young readers like it has unexpectedly touched me."
Stevens and Harmon hope that this series of books make the children in your life laugh, and perhaps teach them a deeper lesson about struggle and achievement. Enjoy!
These books are about working hard for a goal and achieving it, and becoming more than we were before. True, none of us turn into a different animal after achieving a goal. That's just fun imagination at work. But when we work and sweat over a goal, we grow into a person that's a little new. We are not the same. And that's a good thing. We want to be improving and progressing and solving problems. And we want our children to do the same.
"Lately," explains Harmon, "I've been working through some hard things and I've had the refrain, 'Try it for a week' and 'I'm not going to quit now' echo in my head." Surprised that she's been affected by the book's message herself, she says, "I hope this message touches our young readers like it has unexpectedly touched me."
Stevens and Harmon hope that this series of books make the children in your life laugh, and perhaps teach them a deeper lesson about struggle and achievement. Enjoy!
About the Author
Author Valerie Harmon writes the WantsToBe series because she loves to make children giggle while teaching them important principles. Although these children's picture books, beginning with The Snake Who Wanted To Be A Horse and the next, The Elephant Who Wanted To Be A Bee, are mainly fun imaginative stories, there's an underlying theme of hard and perseverance. Each story focuses on an animal with a problem, who works hard to find a solution, and ends in an unexpected way.
Carol Stevens illustrates the WantsToBe stories with bold color and a folktale style. A veteran in the art industry, the concept of this series stems from tales she'd create for her youngest child. In December of 2012, Stevens approached Harmon to collaborate on publishing them for more children to enjoy.
Carol Stevens illustrates the WantsToBe stories with bold color and a folktale style. A veteran in the art industry, the concept of this series stems from tales she'd create for her youngest child. In December of 2012, Stevens approached Harmon to collaborate on publishing them for more children to enjoy.
