Bear and Mrs. Duck

by Elizabeth Winthrop

Bear is miserable when his regular babysitter, Nora, has to go to the store and he cannot, and he refuses to do anything with Mrs. Duck until he realizes how boring this can be

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

ELIZABETH WINTHROP ALSOP (www.elizabethwinthropalsop.com), is the author of over sixty works of fiction for all ages, including ISLAND JUSTICE and IN MY MOTHER'S HOUSE, both available as e-books.

DAUGHTER OF SPIES: Wartime Secrets, Family Lies, her memoir about her parents' love affair during World War II and her own childhood in 1950s Washington as the daughter of a famous journalist, will be published October 25, 2022 by Regal House.

Her short story, The Golden Darters, was selected by Best American Short Stories by Robert Stone and was recently read on SELECTED SHORTS by the renowned actress, Ann Dowd. She is the author of the memoir piece, Don't Knock Unless You're Bleeding; Growing Up in Cold War Washington.The daughter of Stewart Alsop, the political journalist, she divides her time between New York City and the Berkshires.

Her historical novel, COUNTING ON GRACE was chosen as a Notable Book of the Year by the American Library Association, the National Council of Social Studies, the International Reading Association and the Children’s Book Council among others. The novel has also been nominated for state book awards in Vermont, Virginia, Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri,Indiana, Hawaii and Arizona.

THE CASTLE IN THE ATTIC and its sequel, THE BATTLE FOR THE CASTLE, were nominated for twenty-three state book awards and are considered children’s fantasy classics.

Her popular picture books include DUMPY LA RUE, SHOES,DOG SHOW, SQUASHED IN THE MIDDLE and most recently, THE FIRST CHRISTMAS STOCKING and THE BIGGEST PARADE. Two of her recent books for older children are THE RED-HOT RATTOONS, a comic fantasy novel and DEAR MR. PRESIDENT, Letters from a Milltown Girl, a work of historical fiction set in western Massachusetts.

For more information, www.elizabethwinthrop.com

Reviews

[Ms.soule · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story with artwork that just isn't my style, but my two year old loves it. The story is too wordy, so I did a lot of paraphrasing, which does make it easier to read over and over (and over, etc). The message of the book is an excellent one: that you can miss your parent figure but still have fun with the babysitter.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe this book would help a child understand the idea of having a babysitter and that being okay with a babysitter is fine and parent will still come back. It is an older book and has a message.

I bought this book but will not keep it in my library.

[Rebekah Maddack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a kid and I love thinking back on it now.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nora and Bear do everything together so Bear is heart-broken when Nora leaves him to go shopping. Bear can't go because he is sick with a cold. Nora asks Mrs. Duck over to watch Bear. At first Bear decides that he will just sit and wait for Nora to come back. Mrs. Duck suggests that he color or read a book. Bear doesn't want Mrs. Duck knowing that his crayons are under his bed. When she produces her own he agrees to draw a picture. Bear draws Nora making sure Mrs. Duck knows that he is still waiting. Next Mrs. Duck flies up to the top shelf and gets Bear's favorite book. Bear climbs into her soft lap while she reads. Next Bear gets out his special under-the-bed-box and pulls out his blue ball. They play with this for awhile. Then they play hide-and-seek. After this Bear suggests that they play with his toy boats in the bath tub. Bear is delighted when Mrs. Duck gets in the tub with the boats. When Nora returns Bear is very happy to see her and they exchange a big fat hug. Bear is also happy about his time with Mrs. Duck.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Peggy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only one of the best books ever.... which is not really what I expected. My youngest son, now 3, loves this book more than all of his other books combined - and believe me, that's saying something! Nora, Bear's... uh... owner? companion? mother? little girl?... needs to go to the store, but bear (an animated stuff animal) has a cold and has to stay home, so Mrs. Duck (a real duck) comes to babysit. Bear is uncooperative at first, but eventually warms up to Mrs. Duck. The drawing are sweet, with an aside or two to the adult audience in the way of a "look" from Mrs. Duck. Nora returns home and all is well. It's a very simple story about an everyday event that really seems to hit home with little ones. Excellent!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of our kids' favorites. This is one of several they asked us to read to them at bedtime alot. I was surprised when my youngest confided in me that this book helped him feel better about having a babysitter. He is grown now and remembers this as one of his favorites.

[Sarah Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the best children's book possibly ever.

[Seanan DeGrave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since I was a little thing, I have been reading this book.

[Charron · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the very best children's books. I must have read this to my daughter 100 times and yet it is one of those books you don't mind reading "one more time"

[Zoey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely, sweet, traditional book that addresses separation anxiety and fear of "different" very gently. Attractive and sweet.

[Shannon Hobday · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was my favorite book when i was younger.