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Bear
Bear Hugs: Romantically Ridiculous Animal Rhymes
Rhino Mister and Rhino Miss gaze at the moon in rhino bliss.
They rub their rhino tusks like this.
And now you've seen rhinocerkiss!
Join the fun in the romantically ridiculous and the ridiculously romantic escapades of your favorite animals!
They rub their rhino tusks like this.
And now you've seen rhinocerkiss!
Join the fun in the romantically ridiculous and the ridiculously romantic escapades of your favorite animals!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published December 28, 2004
99 people want to read
About the author
Karma Wilson
105 books523 followersKarma Wilson grew up an only child of a single mother in the wilds of North Idaho. Way back then (just past the stone age and somewhat before the era of computers) there was no cable TV and if there had been Karma could not have recieved it. TV reception was limited to 3 channels, of which one came in with some clarity. Karma did the only sensible thing a lonely little girl could do…she read or played outdoors.
Playing outdoors was fun, but reading was Karma’s “first love” and, by the age 11, she was devouring about a novel a day. She was even known to try to read while riding her bike down dirt roads, which she does not recommend as it is hazardous to the general well being of the bike, the rider, and more importantly the book. Her reading preferences were fantasy (C.S. Lewis, Terry Brooks, etc…) and historical fiction (L.M. Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder, etc…). Those tastes have not changed much.
Karma never considered writing as a profession because her mother was a professional writer which made it seem like mundane work. At the age of 27 she realized that she still loved well-written children’s books of all kinds, from picture books to young adult novels. By that time Karma was a wife and the mother of three young children. Trips to the library with her kids were a combination of emotions…a good book meant fun for all! But so many of the books weren’t what her children wanted to listen to.
Then a tax refund changed everything. With the money the family decided to invest in a computer. Karma was forced to learn to type. Combining her desire to make the expensive computer pay for itself, her new-found typing skill, and her love of children’s literature, Karma started writing for children. She wanted to put a few more good books on the library shelves and pay off that computer! Countless rejections and three years later Karma was finally accepted by book agent Steven Malk (who had already rejected her once, which she never lets him forget). Her first book, Bear Snores On, was released in 2002. The computer was paid for!
Since then Karma has had more than 30 books accepted for publication. Many of those are on the shelves of libraries and bookstores around the world. Her books have received numerous state and national awards, been translated into dozens of languages, and a few have made an appearance on the New York Times bestseller list. Karma sincerely hopes that her books bring joy to children and families everywhere.
Karma writes humorous, rhythmic picture books for the very young, and humorous and wistful poetry for the primary grades.
These days Karma lives with her handsome husband Scott, and her three not-so-young-anymore children, two dogs, two chickens and one cat on some modest but lovely acreage in NW Montana. Her hobbies include reading (of course), photography, baking, yoga, and a passion for Mixed Martial Arts.
Playing outdoors was fun, but reading was Karma’s “first love” and, by the age 11, she was devouring about a novel a day. She was even known to try to read while riding her bike down dirt roads, which she does not recommend as it is hazardous to the general well being of the bike, the rider, and more importantly the book. Her reading preferences were fantasy (C.S. Lewis, Terry Brooks, etc…) and historical fiction (L.M. Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder, etc…). Those tastes have not changed much.
Karma never considered writing as a profession because her mother was a professional writer which made it seem like mundane work. At the age of 27 she realized that she still loved well-written children’s books of all kinds, from picture books to young adult novels. By that time Karma was a wife and the mother of three young children. Trips to the library with her kids were a combination of emotions…a good book meant fun for all! But so many of the books weren’t what her children wanted to listen to.
Then a tax refund changed everything. With the money the family decided to invest in a computer. Karma was forced to learn to type. Combining her desire to make the expensive computer pay for itself, her new-found typing skill, and her love of children’s literature, Karma started writing for children. She wanted to put a few more good books on the library shelves and pay off that computer! Countless rejections and three years later Karma was finally accepted by book agent Steven Malk (who had already rejected her once, which she never lets him forget). Her first book, Bear Snores On, was released in 2002. The computer was paid for!
Since then Karma has had more than 30 books accepted for publication. Many of those are on the shelves of libraries and bookstores around the world. Her books have received numerous state and national awards, been translated into dozens of languages, and a few have made an appearance on the New York Times bestseller list. Karma sincerely hopes that her books bring joy to children and families everywhere.
Karma writes humorous, rhythmic picture books for the very young, and humorous and wistful poetry for the primary grades.
These days Karma lives with her handsome husband Scott, and her three not-so-young-anymore children, two dogs, two chickens and one cat on some modest but lovely acreage in NW Montana. Her hobbies include reading (of course), photography, baking, yoga, and a passion for Mixed Martial Arts.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 11, 2019
My daughter keeps picking this book from our library basket over and over and over.....good thing I find these poems adorable.
August 27, 2016
I really don't know how many kids will enjoy this mushy stuff. Normally the picture book set couldn't care less.
July 1, 2016
Cute but not really something that my "kids" like. They just don't seem to make sense to the younger ones and they older ones just walk away.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2018
This was not what I hoped for. It might be a cute gift book for your true love, but the poetry was poor and generally uninteresting for kids. I couldn't read it to my students.
November 8, 2019
Very great word play within the book and making sense to each animal such as the toads and their croak, elephants and their amazing memory or the joke about crocodiles tears. PErfect illustrations with good colors that help distinguish easily each page and where the focus is generally. I would recommend this book to the more middle aged kids of Elementary 2nd and 3rd.
June 13, 2017
A silly book for kindergartners to enjoy. Go give someone a hug!!
June 20, 2017
A cute book of poems about how animals show love.
Talking points - Do you like hugs or kisses better? How do you generally show love and how do you generally most like love showed to you?
Talking points - Do you like hugs or kisses better? How do you generally show love and how do you generally most like love showed to you?
August 11, 2018
Great for Valentines, but appropriate for any time of year.
Each poem features an animal.
I particularly love the extra "sssss"s in the boa constrictor poem.
Each poem features an animal.
I particularly love the extra "sssss"s in the boa constrictor poem.
November 5, 2018
An early elementary poetry book about animals in love. Sweet, funny and short. This book really moves.
April 25, 2019
This book is hilarious! My husband and I were both cracking up as we read it to our kids. The kids asked for it over and over.
April 18, 2021
This was so cute. Lots of great rhymes and play on words. I especially liked "Lovebirds" which was about two penguins getting married :-D
February 13, 2023
These are cute poems.
July 1, 2011
Bear Hugs is a sweet, love filled book of poetry for preschool aged children. It features 21 sweet and silly short poems of animals and their affections for one another. Written by popular author Karma Wilson (of "The Bear" books) it is well-written and the word choice is appropriate for young children. The illustations by Suzanna Watt are soft and gentle and fit well with the poems. This book doesn't have the lure or attention grabbing appeal of Shel Silverstein but is a good introduction to poetry for preschoolers and provides the opportunity for snuggles, squeezes, and kisses along the way!
March 16, 2010
I checked out a bunch of kid books for Valentine's Day and this one was one of my faves! I'll have to remember to get it again next year. It's a bunch of lovey dovey poems about different animals and some of them are pretty creative. My favorites were Pignic, Lovebirds and Pins and Needles. It was too old for my 2 year old but he loved the illustrations (they're great!)
May 1, 2013
This is an entertaining collection of poems about love. Only one of them specifically mentions Valentine's Day, but it would be a great time of year to read this book. The poems are short and rhyming and the illustrations are colorful and cartoonish. The animals are adorable and overall, I am sure that this book will appeal to children.
February 6, 2010
Adorable, short poems about love, hugs, and Valentine's Day.Bear Hugs: Romantically Ridiculous Animals Rhymes is a book with colorful, giggle-inducing snippets about the magic of love.
Used for "Hearts-A-Beating" storytime-February, 2010.
Used for "Hearts-A-Beating" storytime-February, 2010.
April 4, 2012
Very cute little animal rhymes about love. It's perfect for Valentine's Day, but also for National Poetry Month, too! My 2nd graders thought the rhymes were very cute when I read this today to them.
February 6, 2014
This is a fun book of short rhymes that can be used to help young kids understand poetry. They are fun and interesting involving animals and the kids love animals. Their favorite part seems to be the end when it ties it all back to people.
February 6, 2008
This is one of the CUTEST poetry books I have ever read. And it's perfect for Valentine's day. All the poems are about really cute animals and their love for one another.
October 5, 2012
Adorable book of "love" poems. My son loved the silly rhymes and illustrations. Great valentine's day themed book or just a cute anytime love themed book.
February 23, 2014
really cute valentines book
August 19, 2015
This is a collection of animal love poems. It's cute and simple. It's a nice book, that any child could enjoy.
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November 24, 2015Good choice to read aloud to students in February when doing Valentine's Day activities. The students would love the little poems.
March 11, 2016
I read a selection of poems from this book for my preschoolers during story time. While I thought the poems were clever and silly, they seemed rather unimpressed.
April 24, 2018
Animal pun love poems- great for Valentine's Day/
April 18, 2017
Picture Book-A fun book that brings what children love (animals) to life in the form of love and rhyme. Very creative.
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February 27, 20182/2018
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews