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The Bear
The Bear is a series of humourous and endearing paintings that detail the bond that forms between a first time parent and their child.
- GenresChildrens
55 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
31 people want to read
About the author
Ryan Sohmer
84 books50 followersRyan Sohmer is the author of popular comics Looking for Group (www.lfg.co), Least I Could Do (www.licd.com) among other projects.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 24, 2013
At once precious, precocious, witty, and downright hilarious, this is going to be a children's book I'll read for years and years, to my children, and to myself.
November 28, 2012
Ryan Sohmer is known to me through some of his webcomics, which are funny, edgy, and occasionally inappropriate. I mention this simply as an acknowledgement that those familiar with his other works might not give a children's book a proper chance, as it is somewhat of a departure.
That would be a mistake. The Bear is a wonderful collection of near fifty single page anecdotes celebrating children and parenthood with equal parts wit and emotion. Sohmer has shared his insights on being a new father with charm and resonance. While written from a father's point of view, very little is gender specific and the book should be well appreciated by fathers, mothers and children alike (although I'll mention it opens with a definition of "fatherhood" instead of "parenthood," in case anyone's considering it as a gift to a new mother).
What makes it all even more captivating is Dreistadt's incredible art, pairing each page's tale experience with a glorious painted image of a different animal parent/child pairing. Drestadt uses a wide variety of beautiful color combinations here and has a tremendous artistic style.
Print it all on high quality paper and add a beautiful textured dark blue faux-suede cover with a silver de-bossed title and The Bear is a stunning collectible.
My one complaint, and the reason for the docked star, is a single page that contains something I'd rather not have to explain to a child. I'm fine with the playful and mischievous stuff, but even in the cute and humorous way it was presented there was one saying I'd rather wasn't there. . I see this book as a great thing for parent and child to read and experience together, and it's a bit of a shame to have to hesitate for one page I know children in my family will get hung up on asking questions about. But not everyone is as sensitive as I am and I imagine a lot of people won't even blink. This is simply my take on it.
Overall The Bear is an amazing accomplishment and a great collectable that only has a little bit of tarnish on it (for me anyway) as a children's book.
That would be a mistake. The Bear is a wonderful collection of near fifty single page anecdotes celebrating children and parenthood with equal parts wit and emotion. Sohmer has shared his insights on being a new father with charm and resonance. While written from a father's point of view, very little is gender specific and the book should be well appreciated by fathers, mothers and children alike (although I'll mention it opens with a definition of "fatherhood" instead of "parenthood," in case anyone's considering it as a gift to a new mother).
What makes it all even more captivating is Dreistadt's incredible art, pairing each page's tale experience with a glorious painted image of a different animal parent/child pairing. Drestadt uses a wide variety of beautiful color combinations here and has a tremendous artistic style.
Print it all on high quality paper and add a beautiful textured dark blue faux-suede cover with a silver de-bossed title and The Bear is a stunning collectible.
My one complaint, and the reason for the docked star, is a single page that contains something I'd rather not have to explain to a child. I'm fine with the playful and mischievous stuff, but even in the cute and humorous way it was presented there was one saying I'd rather wasn't there. . I see this book as a great thing for parent and child to read and experience together, and it's a bit of a shame to have to hesitate for one page I know children in my family will get hung up on asking questions about. But not everyone is as sensitive as I am and I imagine a lot of people won't even blink. This is simply my take on it.
Overall The Bear is an amazing accomplishment and a great collectable that only has a little bit of tarnish on it (for me anyway) as a children's book.
December 19, 2012
I have known about The Bear for about a year now because I follow Ryan online through some of his web comics. I am not a father but I can definitely appreciate the sentiment that goes into this book. I bought copies for my parents. Some people have labeled this as a children's Book but, I don't feel that is correct. While children would very likely enjoy the pictures...this isn't really a "Storybook", at least, not in the traditional form. This is a book about the perspectives of a first time parent. It is insightful, witty, touching, and inspiring in its approach and its message about the wonderful world of being a parent. I recommend this book to anyone but, especially to all the parents out there.
December 19, 2012
I absolutely love this book. I bought two copies in good faith via their Kickstarter campaign - one for me (and any children I hopefully have in the future) and one for my niece who turns a year old this month. I have followed Ryan Sohmer's work for years now, and the preview pages I'd seen suggested this was going to be a gorgeous book. It's everything I expected and more. I am going to be more than delighted to give my niece her copy for Christmas. :)
December 20, 2012
Absolutely lovely illustrations. This isn't really a story so much as free standing thoughts on having a child and how it changes your life. I think I would have preferred some kind of organization so that it felt a little more like a story. However, each page is beautiful, and with my own on the way, I'm curious to see how my feelings about this change with experience. I suspect it would make a great gift to a new parent.
January 14, 2014
The Bear is an absolutely gorgeous book of beautifully-rendered animals and poignant thoughts during the discovery of parenthood. Amazing for parents, grandparents, and anyone who has kids in their lives, this book will make you laugh, smile and cry. I'm pretty sure everyone in my family who has read this has at least sniffled a bit.
December 19, 2012
A gorgeous book. Aimed at parents, really, but the artwork is beautiful and suitable for children as well. If I trusted my kids not to mess with it, it would make a fantastic conversation piece on a coffee or side table, and the cover really is nice enough to fit in any setting.
December 19, 2012
If you've ever had a child, intend to have one, or have even babysat, you need to read this book. And the illustrations are lush and perfect.
October 1, 2015
a kids book for parents, some lines punch me right in the feels. awesome book i can see myself read to my children for years to come
December 19, 2012
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews