Big Bear Ball

by Joanne Ryder

Welcome friends, welcome all, welcome to the Big Bear Ball!Deep in the forest, under a full moon and starry sky, bears sway and stomp to the big bear beat. Wake the moles and rouse the foxes! Even a boisterous gator goes for a spin. Who can resist joining in the jump-jiving, splish-splashing midnight fun?

Joanne Ryder's toe-tapping verse and Steven Kellogg's jubilant illustrations will set feet moving, fingers snapping, arms swinging, and bodies jumping. Don't waste a second -- leave your two left feet at the shore and come dance until the break of day!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Joanna Ryder is an award-winning author whose books offer a unique blend of poetry and science. Her innovative Just for a Day series invites children into the world of wild animals, ranging from a sea otter to Tyrannosaurus rex. Ms. Ryder says, "Children know that my books often ask them to imagine being a different creature. So they always ask me which animal I would choose to be. I'd be a flying one, I tell them. Or if I could, I'd wish for wings. And I've discovered children would love wings, too. But which ones to choose? I wrote Rainbow Wings to help us decide." Ms. Ryder lives in Pacific Grove, California.

-taken from www.balkinbuddies.com

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun story about a group of bears dancing together througout the night until the break of dawn. The narrative rhymes in a sing-song way and the illustrations are bright and colorful. It's a fun book to read aloud.

We've borrowed this book a couple of times from the library.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Colorful illustrations and nice sing-songy text. Not my favorite, but passable for a bear themed preschool story time.

[The Campbell Family · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly, fun book with colorful illustrations. A little dated, but the kids still enjoyed.

[Library Lady Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good pair with Dinosaurumpus and Dancing Feet.

[sublimosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a bear, but I sure would like to join the fun!

[Kaitlyn]

The "Big Bear Ball" comes from the sky every full moon. The bears dance the night away with other animals! This book is super cute. I love the detailed artwork and all of the colors! I would read this book to a kindergarten or 1st grade class.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bright pictures and short lively rhymes will make this a good candidate for Saturday Morning Fever storytime.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steven Kellogg can do no wrong in my book.

[Matthew · Rating 2 out of 5]

This just wasn't my kind of book. It's cute and fun and I just wasn't that excited by it. Good author and illustrator, but not my favorite book.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

August 2012. Beautiful illustrations. There's so much to point out in the pictures! Would love this for our collection.

[Shaley Dunn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bear ball is happening. Bears are coming from everywhere to attend. The pictures in this book are very bright and would attract the attention of children.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bears from all over come to enjoy the Big Bear Ball.