Bear's Picture

by Daniel Pinkwater, D.B. Johnson (Illustrator)

A bear wants to paint a picture, and so he does; however, two fine, proper gentlemen don’t think that it is a very fine picture at all. But just because they don’t see what the bear sees doesn’t make it a bad picture, right? Daniel Pinkwater turns art (and art critics) upside down in this classic tale, now beautifully reillustrated by D. B. Johnson.

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Childrens, Animals, Storytime, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 26, 1972

About the author

Daniel Manus Pinkwater is an author of mostly children's books and is an occasional commentator on National Public Radio. He attended Bard College. Well-known books include Lizard Music, The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death, Fat Men from Space, Borgel, and the picture book The Big Orange Splot. Pinkwater has also illustrated many of his books in the past, although for more recent works that task has passed to his wife Jill Pinkwater.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay for Goodreads, for community reviews. There's no way to evaluate books like this objectively. Professional critics wouldn't really have much of value to say here. Even though some of my GR friends rate this lower, I love it and highly recommend it.

And that's the theme of the book. Everyone can be an artist, even if the only ppl who appreciate their work are themselves (Bear), or posthumous coffee mug designers (Van Gogh). And everyone can be a critic.

And in my case, since I happen to love D.B. Johnson and often enjoy Pinkwater, I loved this book. I love it even more than The Dot, which was a darn good book. I love the gray and proper and judgemental gentlemen, and their fate. I love Bear's self-confidence and zest, and his neck-piece (even though I don't know if it's meant to be a tie, a scarf, or nothing in particular). I love the development of the painting.

I wish more ppl would read this book and also discover for themselves the joy of creativity.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still remember being told in second grade that I drew the sky wrong. When I went home and told my Dad that the sky was supposed to be a big long rectangle of blue in the sky colored in corner to corner, but mine was wrong, he said not so. Mine, a small frenzy of blue, was just fine for a sky. I figured since he was an artist, he probably knew best so I just kept on drawing skies my way. So far, it has worked out well.
This bear and my Dad would understand each other.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice sentiment/message here that we should not allow others to judge our artistic talents/pursuits but should enjoy the process and creation for ourselves. However, I think it was better executed by Peter Reynolds in his book such as The Dot

[April Thompson Freeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love art. I love children's books. I love bright colors. The combination of the three in this book just didn't have the bells and whistles I normally love. Just meh.

[Roxanne Hsu Feldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fabulous! The text is matter-of-fact; straightforward; and it conveys a great sentiment -- the artist's own interpretation is enough to make any artwork worthwhile. A bear can be a painter and he can paint whatever he feels like and see whatever there is in the picture without being told by others that he can't paint or what his artwork means.

And the ART in this book is unusual, for sure. The contrast between the gray-scale color scheme of the three characters and the vibrant multi-colored painting keeps the readers' focus on the "real" protagonist of the story: the painting, in progress and in its final state. I love how the bear's scarf gets progressively messier, with more colors until it's completely covered. And of course, the page where you must turn the book around to see the final picture from bear's point of view of a bear that is embedded within the autumn honey tree, cool stream, hollow log, field of flowers, and the two gentlemen's hats is such a beautiful and breathtaking moment! The color scheme reminds of of Kandinsky and Klee in their modern, abstract style. The final image of bear sleeping in the hollow log (his own creation) engulfed by the snow is the perfect and calm end note to a rigorous story.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely little picture book about being creative and marching to your own drum. Bear makes a lovely picture and doesn't care what the proper gentlemen say about it.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pinkwater, Daniel. Bear's Picture, 32 pgs. Boston Houghton Mifflin Company, c2008. Language-G, Sexual Content-G; Violence-G;

REVIEW: A bear wants to paint a picture, and he proceeds to do just that. He is criticized by two very fine and proper gentlemen, but the bear holds his own and guess what happens to his critics? The illustrations are great. In fact, much of the story is told not by words, but by the art. This story is not just for the younger children. -

EL-ADVISABLE, Marilyn Mann, Elementary Library Specialist.
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2008/...

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear's Picture (Hardcover)
by Daniel Pinkwater
Sometimes its believing in yourself is all you need. Bear is drawing pictures, and two fashionable gentlemen come on the scene of bear drawing, they can not believe their eyes, they can not see the masterpiece before bear's eyes. They critic they down play they reprimand but they don't see the possibility or change their perspective. Hint turn the picture upside down. And when reading to kids point out the obvious.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow...a Daniel Pinkwater book that makes complete sense! What a treat!

This is the story of a bear who is painting a picture, which gets scrutinized by two men. But the bear holds his own and continues to see what he sees. It's a neat book.

[Vivian Zenari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pinkwater and Johnson defend abstract expressionism and people's right to paint it.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable book that celebrates art and reminds readers that anyone can be an artist - even Bears!

[elstaffe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the book design that allowed for the twist at the end (as it were).

[Micah Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet book for kids!

[Amy Seto · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bear wants to paint a picture. So he gets out his paper, brushes, and paints and begins to create. He’s blissfully painting when two gentlemen happen upon the bear. One is short and round, the other tall and slim. As soon as they see the bear painting they begin criticizing the artwork. “Bears can’t paint.” “Besides it’s a silly picture.” Exasperated, the bear defends his painting as the two men inch closer to figure out “what it is supposed to be.” Before they know it, the men have stepped inside the bear’s creation and then bear begins painting them into the composition until they disappear saying, “Bears are not the sort of fellows to paint pictures.” When they’re gone bear looks at his picture and finds he’s very happy with his painting.

This story not only celebrates the creation of artwork, it also turns the tables on art critics. The bear never asks for anyone’s opinion on his painting, he just feels the need to create. The critics on the other hand never admit that their point of view might be too rigid and structured, even as they disappear into the painting. The text is mostly dialogue and the story moves along quickly. The text and illustrations really go hand in hand. The illustrations were done with mixed media and somehow give the impression of being flat and three dimensional at the same time. The characters are rendered in grayscale, which pulls the reader’s focus to the bear’s colorful painting. Speaking of the painting, make sure to turn the final picture of the painting upside and take a look.

Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...

[Falan Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Bear's Picture", by Daniel Pinkwater is a book is simply written and has beautiful illustrations. This book is about a little bear who decides to paint a picture. Two gentlemen walk by and turn their nose up at the bear attempting to paint a picture. The gentlemen then start to try to figure out what the bear is painting. In the end the two men fail to see what the bear had beautifully illustrated. I think something that could be taken from this story, is how not to worry about what other people think of you. Also to not let other peoples judgement of your dreams effect the things you want to achieve.

I thought this book was okay. It has really simple and has beautiful pictures. It is a good book to use to a wide variety of children. I think that the moral of the story is my favorite part. It just shows that people can judge you and look down on you, but do not let that stop you from following your dreams.

This book could be used to a wide age group of children. It's message is simple. This would be a great book to use in the prime development time of a child's life. It is encouraging and could be used in many different situations.

[Katie Turley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bear wanted to pain a picture. So he began. As the bear was painting 2 gentlemen came up and said bears couldn't paint pictures because bears couldn't do whatever they wanted. The gentlemen started guessing what the painting was. A butterfly, a clown? No. It was a honey tree. The gentlemen did not see that it was a honey tree and the bear said, "It doesn't have to. It is MY picture."
I loved this book. It just made me feel good. This bear wanted to do something so he or she went for it and it didn't matter what the outside world thought about it at all.
I would share this book to teach students to dream and to shoot for the stars.

[Phil J · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Review of the '70s edition with original illustrations

Pinkwater assures children that they are their own audiences, and that their art is valid if it pleases them.

A bear in a black-and-white world paints an abstract picture. Art critics complain about it, and the bear shrugs them off. On the last page, the entire world is colorful except for the two art critics. My four-year old got the symbolism.

I'm not sure why anyone felt the need for new illustrations, but I'm curious to see them. If I had one complaint about the originals, it would be that the bear's posture on some of the pages seems like it's trying to seduce me.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

0-7
As Bear paints a picture, two passing “proper gentlemen” stop to criticize. The reader, along with the gentlemen, watch the painting progress from a few strokes to a complete picture. Johnson displays a nice use of color and geometric shapes. A special detail is bear’s scarf, which starts off black and white, and by the end is a rainbow of paint splotches. Furthermore, Bear’s colorful painting juxtaposes the “proper gentlemen” who are in shades of grey and black. A nice story that promotes creativity, despite the criticism that one may receive.

[Ruhama · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bear decides to paint a picture--an abstract, much to the chagrin of two proper gentlemen. As Bear works, they try to decipher it, only to find their interpretations are nothing like Bear's intentions, and get sucked into the picture (as if being ignored). Only Bear's painting is in color, brilliantly standing out and drawing the eye to it, each page different as the paint is layered on the canvas. This would pair well with art books (The Dot or Why Is Blue Dog Blue?), as well as poo-pooing adult books (Snow or Cows Can't Fly), and, of course, bear books.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My four-year-old son checked this book out from the library yesterday.

There is so much to love about this book, but most of all, I love the bear's attitude. He didn't care if the fine gentlemen liked his picture or not. He painted his picture for him, not for the fine gentlemen.

This book is so beautifully illustrated that I kind of really loved the bear's picture, too. And the grey-scale, rather stiff fine gentlemen were a nice contrast for the color explosion on the bear's canvas.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Daniel Pinkwater, and like DB Johnson. A bear is painting, doing his own thing, when a pair of fine gentlemen come along telling him what he should not be doing, painting is what he should not be doing according to them.
Not as fun as Irving and Muktuk, or Larry the polar bears who make trouble where ever they go. This brown bear obviously has more decorum, not to mention artistic talent. I did like it though, and the dullard gentlemen get their comeuppance in the end.

[Chantel · Rating 3 out of 5]

From 2009 Caldecott contender list.

I loved the illustrations but was not caught up by the storyline. I liked it better than my kids did. They, like me, were drawn to the amazing illustrations. They watched bear's painting change and grow and they loved the colors. We were a little put off by the "two fine, proper gentlemen". This seems to fall into the category of kids books for adults.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear draws a picture. It is a picture of stream in the forest with a hollow log with leaves to crawl in and flowers. Two gentlemen who drop by disapprove and say that it doesn't look like what it is supposed to be. But the bear is not at all upset and is still happy with his picture! E picture book for 2-4 year olds.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This feels like Pinkwater's child/art analogy to how he feels about one's own writing. And I quite agree! I love the illustrations. And I really like the bear (and his increasingly spattered scarf). I'm not sure I could get this to be as entertaining in a preschool storytime, but it would make an excellent lap-read.

[Kellie O. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sends a great message about art, creation, and critics. If you're pleased with your art, it shouldn't matter what others think. It's a great story paired with illustrations from one of my favorite illustrators.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a bear who paints his own picture even though two fine, proper gentlemen tell him that bears can't paint pictures. Really sweet. The illustrations are really different too, almost art deco.

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the contrast between the grey bear and the bright picture he is making. I could not wait to see his finished product. This is a reillustrated version of a title from the 1970s. I wonder what those illustrations were like.

[Dest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though "two fine, proper gentleman" give him a hard time, bear paints an awesome picture. The best part is looking at the picture upside down after it's finished. SPOILER: It looks like THE BEAR!

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bear wants to paint a picture, however two proper gentleman feel that he isn't doing it right. As the story goes on, the picture that the bear creates gets prettier and prettier. Mist read to find out what happens! Great illustrations.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Daniel Pinkwater for his sense of humor most of the time. I liked this book for laying out an explanation for art appreciation so eloquently. It was really nicely done. The illustrations were okay, but the text was won me over