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Bear's Big Bottom
Bear was friendly, Bear was sweet, The nicest bear you'd ever meet! With little paws and little feet, And a very BIG bear bottom! Poor Bear! His bottom is causing chaos...Bump! Crash! Splat! Soon Bear is in great big trouble! Can he ever make it up to his friends? A hilarious story of bottoms, bears and animal friends that will have children giggling at Bear's bottom-based mishaps. From children's favourite Steve Smallman, author of Smelly Peter, the Great Pea Eater and The Monkey with A Bright Blue Bottom.
32 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2013
1 person is currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Steve Smallman
795 books76 followersSteve Smallman lives in Staffordshire with his wife, two dogs and two cats. He has four children and a grandchild. Steve has been illustrating children’s books for almost 30 years and writing his own stories for slightly less. He also teaches illustration workshops in schools, including mural-painting. Steve is the author of Smelly Peter the Great Pea Eater (Winner of the Sheffield Children's Book Award 2009) and The Lamb Who Came for Dinner (Shortlisted for the Red House Children's Book Award and read by Meatloaf on CITV's Bookaboo). When he’s not working, Steve enjoys films, television, gardening and walking in the countryside.
Steve Smallman on Steve Smallman:
I started working as an illustrator when I was in my final year at Art College and now, over 28 years later I still haven't got a proper job! I've illustrated literally hundreds of books, predominantly in educational publishing. A few years ago I was main illustrator for Longman's 'Story Street' reading scheme, illustrating 79 titles and writing 5.
I've worked in children's television, specifically in character development and most notably in the 'Raggy Doll' series in the mid to late 1980's. I have also done a certain amount of licensed work, illustrating characters such as Postman Pat, Bill and Ben and Sesame Street.
I've been described as an 'Animal Artist', not I hasten to add because I'm wild and hairy but because I love to draw animals and especially like to give them human characteristics.
I've been writing children's books for about 6 years and have already had several picture books published with more in development.
I've got 4 great children and although they're all adults now, my memories of them growing up inspire and inform my writing.
Steve Smallman on Steve Smallman:
I started working as an illustrator when I was in my final year at Art College and now, over 28 years later I still haven't got a proper job! I've illustrated literally hundreds of books, predominantly in educational publishing. A few years ago I was main illustrator for Longman's 'Story Street' reading scheme, illustrating 79 titles and writing 5.
I've worked in children's television, specifically in character development and most notably in the 'Raggy Doll' series in the mid to late 1980's. I have also done a certain amount of licensed work, illustrating characters such as Postman Pat, Bill and Ben and Sesame Street.
I've been described as an 'Animal Artist', not I hasten to add because I'm wild and hairy but because I love to draw animals and especially like to give them human characteristics.
I've been writing children's books for about 6 years and have already had several picture books published with more in development.
I've got 4 great children and although they're all adults now, my memories of them growing up inspire and inform my writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 16, 2014
A book about a big bottom? How could it fail in story time?
July 16, 2020
Kaikki pitävät Nallesta, mutta Nallen suuri peppu aiheuttaa ystävien mielestä liikaa harmia. Onneksi kirjan lopussa Nallen pepustakin löydetään hyvä puoli - lopulta ystävät hyväksyvät Nallen kaikkine puolineen.
Itsensä ja muiden hyväksymistä käsittelevässä kirjassa voisi toivoa huonon ominaisuuden olevan aivan joku muu kuin ulkonäköön liittyvä.
Itsensä ja muiden hyväksymistä käsittelevässä kirjassa voisi toivoa huonon ominaisuuden olevan aivan joku muu kuin ulkonäköön liittyvä.
February 14, 2016
This was an adorable book about big bottoms, accepting yourself and being accepted, friendship and more!
I saw this book in the library and just knew I had to try it out. It looked like an interesting and unique books. After all how many big bottom books do you know?
Bear was a great character, and I felt sorry for him a bit. He really did have an extraordinary big bottom. Totally out of proportion if you see his whole body. I do wonder why he got such a large behind, does all his fat move instantly to his bottoms? Or is there something else wrong with this poor bear.
He does try his best not to squash, kill, maim or murder anyone with his bottom, but with such a big butt, and the fact that his friends are tiny, it is bound to go wrong. And that it does in this book. Multiple times. Sitting on a couch (bye, bye couch), squashing cakes, and a whole lot more.
But Bear also does things right. I won't spoil what happens near the ending, let me just say that I was applauding near the end. I hope that his friends will try to help out Bear more. They should know that he is trying his hardest to not maim, kill, murder them, but that his big butt is just dangerous.
The story is pretty decent, though I didn't particularly like the rhyming. Maybe if they also rhymed the last part of the sentence sure. But now it was rhyme, rhyme, rhyme, big bottom..... And that is ok for one time, but after 3 times it just got a bit boring and it bothered me that that part didn't rhyme.
The illustrations were pretty decent and I quite enjoyed looking at them. With each scene it was fun to find the little details. Like finding all of Bear's friends, to see where they were and if they still lived. :)
I am sure that a lot of kids will love this book, and I also sure a big share of the adults will also snicker when they see this book. I would recommend it to everyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I saw this book in the library and just knew I had to try it out. It looked like an interesting and unique books. After all how many big bottom books do you know?
Bear was a great character, and I felt sorry for him a bit. He really did have an extraordinary big bottom. Totally out of proportion if you see his whole body. I do wonder why he got such a large behind, does all his fat move instantly to his bottoms? Or is there something else wrong with this poor bear.
He does try his best not to squash, kill, maim or murder anyone with his bottom, but with such a big butt, and the fact that his friends are tiny, it is bound to go wrong. And that it does in this book. Multiple times. Sitting on a couch (bye, bye couch), squashing cakes, and a whole lot more.
But Bear also does things right. I won't spoil what happens near the ending, let me just say that I was applauding near the end. I hope that his friends will try to help out Bear more. They should know that he is trying his hardest to not maim, kill, murder them, but that his big butt is just dangerous.
The story is pretty decent, though I didn't particularly like the rhyming. Maybe if they also rhymed the last part of the sentence sure. But now it was rhyme, rhyme, rhyme, big bottom..... And that is ok for one time, but after 3 times it just got a bit boring and it bothered me that that part didn't rhyme.
The illustrations were pretty decent and I quite enjoyed looking at them. With each scene it was fun to find the little details. Like finding all of Bear's friends, to see where they were and if they still lived. :)
I am sure that a lot of kids will love this book, and I also sure a big share of the adults will also snicker when they see this book. I would recommend it to everyone.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
February 28, 2023
Leuk verhaal over vriendschap. Mooi vormgegeven, zeker de verticale bladzijde. Ik vind boeken op rijm leuk, alleen ‘verstoort’ het riedeltje ‘…zijn dikke berenbillen’ dat wel een beetje, ondanks dat dit het hoofdonderwerp is.
September 12, 2018
Lennokasta riimittelyä ja hassuja kuvia. Toimii aina.
June 11, 2019
Wasn't keen on this really. Ending was nice I guess.
October 24, 2019
Funny for kids but I wasn’t so amused. All about a bear whose big bottom gets him into delicate situations.
December 22, 2020
Wish I had some kids to read this to!!! lol
January 25, 2022
Fatphobic.
August 26, 2025
My 4 year old is obsessed.
March 22, 2024
This is an adorable story of a big bear with small feet but a big bottom. His friends love having him around until one day he accidentally ruins a party because of his big bottom. When he runs off crying he ends up with another problem; then his friends need him to rescue them. Such a cute story with marvellous illustrations.
September 16, 2016
Excerpt from the book:
Bear was friendly. Bear was sweet.
The nicest bear you'd ever meet.
With little paws and little feet . . .
. . . and a very BIG bear bottom!
His best friends really didn't mind
that Bear had such a big behind.
It made him easier to find
because you can't hide Bear's BIG bottom!
Bear was friendly. Bear was sweet.
The nicest bear you'd ever meet.
With little paws and little feet . . .
. . . and a very BIG bear bottom!
His best friends really didn't mind
that Bear had such a big behind.
It made him easier to find
because you can't hide Bear's BIG bottom!
August 10, 2016
This is a super silly story about a kind and gentle bear who has a very big bottom. Normally his forest animal friends do not mind his big bottom, but when bear accidentally ruins a birthday party with his big bottom, his friends are upset. Saddened at the destruction he caused, bear goes off on his own to sulk under a tree, and the forest friends search for him to apologize. But when the forest friends meet a hungry fox, bear and his big bottom save the day! This book features text that has a wonderful rhythm and repetition. Some parents may not appreciate the big bottom humor in this story, but children will love it!
February 7, 2014
Bear is known for his kindness and his large bottom. When his bottom half causes some problems at Squirrel's birthday party his friends get mad at him. Realizing their mistake, Bear's friends search for him to make their apologies.
Rhyming text was cute in the beginning but became a distraction as the story went on. Illustrations are cute and add details to the story not present in text. This one was just okay for me. PreK-2.
Rhyming text was cute in the beginning but became a distraction as the story went on. Illustrations are cute and add details to the story not present in text. This one was just okay for me. PreK-2.
November 3, 2015
New in the bookshop today ... and I loved it.
Poor Bear's big bottom is always getting in the way. Even a hide & seek game lasts a nanosecond. He runs off when he thinks he's a bother to his 'little friends' and they come to realise the value of Bear in his absence.
The illustrations are soooo cute to complement a lovely story. Steve Smallman never disappoints.
Poor Bear's big bottom is always getting in the way. Even a hide & seek game lasts a nanosecond. He runs off when he thinks he's a bother to his 'little friends' and they come to realise the value of Bear in his absence.
The illustrations are soooo cute to complement a lovely story. Steve Smallman never disappoints.
January 9, 2015
I wanted to like this book but it was kind of offensive. Of course talking about bottoms with boys always makes them giggle, so that part was funny with my son. Bear's bottom is so big it is always getting in the way. That is until he gets stuck in a tree and unwittingly saves the day against a fox, who is trying to eat his friends. Recommended for ages 3-6, 3 stars.
February 4, 2014
Very creative and adorable, but I wish it had been longer. The kids loved it, but were sad that it was over so soon. Could use some more rhyming as well.
February 20, 2014
Really cute, I think kids would like it, but to adults it might feel like fat shaming.
April 9, 2014
Eh. Nothing too exciting. Cute, but just seemed like something was missing. Older preschool kids would like this and think it's hysterical.
June 5, 2014
Cute!
August 27, 2014
Bear's big bottom saves the day!
September 19, 2014
I love this book. I think it would be great for storytime!
February 4, 2015
amusing rhyming story about a bear with an enormous bottom that of course, gets him into trouble until it saves the day.
April 18, 2015
I can see very young children giggling over the silliness of the bear's large backside but nothing really worked for me about this book.
November 19, 2015
The kid's will think it's funny, but there's a lot of forced rhyme in here.
February 11, 2016
An instant classic. Totally hilarious.
Would pair perfectly with Nick Bland's Very Cranky Bear, One Big Pair of Underwear by Laura Gehl, and Bear Snore On by Karma Wilson.
Would pair perfectly with Nick Bland's Very Cranky Bear, One Big Pair of Underwear by Laura Gehl, and Bear Snore On by Karma Wilson.
April 5, 2016
I love the rhyming text! Still, I have a problem with books that body shame characters, even if that body part ends up saving the day at the end.
February 24, 2014
gorgeous endpaper and charming illustrations. Sometimes the rhyming felt forced.
December 1, 2014
Aaliyah was really amused by this book...smh!
December 2, 2015
I KNEW a big behind could be a lifesaver, sometimes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews