Bear

by Natalia Shaloshvili

Bear is all set for a perfect day. The sky is blue, there's not a cloud in the sky and he has all of his most favourite things in the world by his side – a cookie to nibble on, a book to get lost in, a bright balloon to keep him happy and the perfect bench to take a rest on. But no sooner has Bear made himself comfortable, than along comes Fox who wants to share the bench too. Bear agrees, begrudgingly. But no sooner has he overcome the idea of sharing his bench when Wolf pops up to ask for a bit of cookie ... and then Rabbit jumps up to read his book ... and then Elephant lumbers along to play with his balloon. And before Bear knows it, it's all become too much for him! AAAAAARGH! yells Bear. From author-illustrator Natalia Shaloshvili, whose simple, witty text and unique artwork make her perfect for fans of Jon Klassen and Chris Haughton, this is a whimsical and laugh-out-loud funny picture book about how hard it can be to say what you really mean – and why it's best to avoid bottling up emotions, so that they don't explode out in one big AAAAAARGH.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Friendship, Childrens, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 13, 2025

About the author

Natalia Shaloshvili is an artist, children's book author and illustrator.

Natalia started her creative career as a fashion and editorial illustrator, having worked with several established international magazines and creative agencies. Later she found her true passion in children's books and paintings. Currently, she works with some top publishing houses to release new, exciting and rather peculiar stories to the world. Her characters are cute, calm, humble and amusing, living their ordinary lives in a strange and curious world out there. Her paintings can be found in private galleries and many homes all around the globe. She lives with her family in London, UK.

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story book written and illustrated by Natalia Shaloshvili. It is apparently "a story about sharing and how important it is to say what you mean" which comes across in part at least throughout, but it's the lovely illustrations which make this book really, rather than the narrative.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A modern classic😝

[Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the illustrations are adorable, I feel like the messages in this book are really problematic. (Bear displays no boundaries at all, but then later demonstrates the same mooching behavior toward another friend.)

[Basia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art and humour are priceless! I can't look at characters' expressions and not laugh.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 ⭐️

[Sharni · Rating 4 out of 5]

the lows (and highs!) of being part of society

[Mahdi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and lovely! I enjoyed turning every page, following the hilarious (and totally relatable) disaster as it unfolds for the poor Bear.

[Milana · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 cried in the bookstore

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm… A book that takes two minutes to read – and a much longer time for you to work out the actual point of it all. Bear is happy with what he has, which includes his book, bench, balloon, cookie, and solitude. But one by one a critter comes along and asks to join in with the read, the peace, the balloon fun – and Bear feels forced to say yes each time. Until it all comes bursting out that he might have preferred to answer everyone's requests differently. Now the blurb says this is about not getting to that point, but any young pair of eyes seeing this will take it as how sharing is awkward, and should be limited. That's all true, of course, but why dissuade littluns from giving it a go at an age as young as the intended audience here?

It all depends on what you're buying into these days – realism, or the 'right' morals of the past couple centuries of kids' books.

[Ileana (The Tiniest Book Club) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natalia Shaloshvili ist für mich die Königin des Mienenspiels: die Tierillustrationen der britisch-ukrainischen Künstlerin schauen einer mit großen, runden Augen direkt in die Seele.

„Bär“ sitzt voller Zufriedenheit auf seiner Lieblingsbank, mit all seinen Lieblingsdingen: seinem Buch, seinem Luftballon und seinem Keks. Doch dann bekommt er Gesellschaft von den anderen Tieren und fühlt sich gezwungen, aus Höflichkeit mit ihnen zu teilen, obwohl er die Lieblingsdinge lieber für sich behalten würde. Die widerstreitenden Gefühle in „Bär“ waren für mich als Erwachsene mehr als relatable (die flauschigen, expressiven Aquarellmalereien sowieso), bei Kindern bin ich mir da nicht so sicher. Vielleicht sorgt die Diskrepanz hier eher für Verwirrung. Vielleicht ist sie aber auch ein guter Einstieg für ein Gespräch über das Teilen.

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this one. it's confusing, in that kids are used to "always share" books, but this one is "it's okay to want to enjoy your things yourself" and I think that's an important idea. There's some lifting that has to be done in the discussion about still being kind, but it's good. illustrations are super-cute, but can be a little tough for a big group. "Bear always liked Moose" got a full-out cackle from several moms.

[Jacqueline Nyathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple little story wherein Bear learns to share… Or not. Bear has things his friends want—a cookie, a nice space on a bench, a book—but he doesn’t know how to say no when they ask; so he ends up with nothing. And that makes Bear very, very unhappy.

Delightful illustrations, and a starting point for talking to small humans about sharing, and how to say no. Thanks to Frances Lincoln and Edelweiss for early access.

[Marijt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoeveel herkenning van jezelf kun je in een prentenboek hebben?! Prachtig om met zo weinig tekst en zulke toffe illustraties te leren je grenzen aan te geven, voor jezelf op te komen en de ander te leren ‘lezen’.

Exploreerde dimensie - groep 1,2,3, (en ouder om de boodschap te ontdekken natuurlijk)

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear has a lot of great things-- including a cookie, a balloon, and a good book-- but he also has a hard time saying "No" when his creature friends ask for what he has. A humorous book fit for fans of Jon Klassen and Matthew Forsythe.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny short book about communication and giving vs taking. Poor bear is asked by his friends to give up all his favorite things, to the point that he never gets to enjoy them himself. Could be a good conversation starter about communicating and boundary-setting with kids.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bear wants to be alone but keeps saying yes when other animals want to join him. No actual message in the book, but parents could use it as an example of being an introvert or being willing to say No.

[eden . ۫ ꣑ৎ . · Rating 4 out of 5]

🐻♡ this was very cute!

🐻♡ the art style is pleasing to the eye and the color choice pretty.

🐻♡ the story is simple but so good haha. how the bear gives up all their things to be polite despite not really wanting to, holding in aggression which then erupts, and then repeat the cycle though reverse when duck comes by. clever!!

🐻♡ the facial expressions of the bear were so nicely made omg, the art really portrayed it well.

[Jamie Canaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bunch of adults are going to read this and feel dragged cause Bear is many people.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Same bear. Same.

[Sera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes it's hard to say what you really mean :)

[Elena Traduzioni Oceano Mare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful and the story is funny 🤣. This author is sooo talented ❤️

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lessons in boundaries for small people. Like it.

[Wies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Onbeschrijfelijk

[ktsonofwill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good message about not being a pushover.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Confusing message.

[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJMrIt...

[Marleen van Besouw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eenvoudig, kort boek met prachtige prenten en een krachtige boodschap. Over hoe moeilijk het is om je grenzen aan te geven en het oefenen daarin. Mooi!

[Dylan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last few pages were funny, but before that I mostly just really liked Bear's facial expressions. The beginning is a little too slow of a build up for the humor to fully come through.

[R🌸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ideal para enseñar la importancia de decir lo que uno piensa y siente, poniendo límites a los demás en la búsqueda de una relación sana, feliz y duradera.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

om het in de klas te hebben over je mening durven geven