Bear Noel

by Olivier Dunrea

A story for lovers of animals, art, and holiday harmony

As Christmas approaches, the animals of the north woods tremble with excitement. Bear Noel is coming! He strides toward them with his gift-laden sack, while they roll and romp in the snow, waiting. It is Christmas Eve, the one night of the year when a hare and a wolf, a fox and a boar, a hedgehog and a possum, an owl and a mole can gather peacefully, in the spirit of the happy holiday. Olivier Dunrea's gentle story about the advent of Christmas and his exquisite, snow-filled pictures evoke all the warmth and wonder of a magical time.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens, Fantasy, Animals

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 6, 2000

About the author

Since his debut in 1983, author and illustrator Olivier Dunrea has created a steady stream of picture books, including concept books, stories of family life—modern and ancient—and stories about artists. Many of Dunrea's picture books testify to his love of animals and his interest in archaeology and folklore of the British Isles, and several—including Ravena, The Trow-Wife's Treasure, and Bear Noel—take place in a similar land of Dunrea's own creation: the mythic island of Moel Eyris. "I don't write books or make pictures for children," Dunrea once told Something About the Author (SATA). "I make them for myself. It just so happens that children like what I do as much as I do!"

Olivier (Jean-Paul Dominique) Dunrea (1953-) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Writings, Sidelights

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly do not really know how to adequately rate Olivier Dunrea's 2000 picture book Bear Noel. For yes, while most definitely I do appreciate Dunrea's general concept of a clad like Santa Claus Polar Bear (and whose name of Bear Noel is clearly also meant to be a clever wordplay on the French name for Santa Claus, for Père Noel) bringing Christmas presents and holiday cheer to the animals of the northern woodlands, I have indeed also found parts of in particular Olivier Dunrea's featured text for Bear Noel rather frustrating, even annoying.

For one and textually speaking, while I have indeed very much enjoyed Olivier Dunrea's lyricism describing winter landscapes and snow, as well as reading about the diverse woodland animals (both predator and prey together, and not one hunting the other) being excited about their holiday party with a decorated Christmas Tree and presents delivered by Bear Noel (that is of course, if I do suspend my sense of reality with regard to the latter and take Bear Noel simply as a sweet little yuletide fantasy), I do wish that the featured text of Bear Noel were a a bit less repetitive, for yes, after Olivier Dunrea gloriously introducing a setting for a verbal, for a textual winter wonderland, how the animals meet and tell each other how excited they are that Bear Noel is coming, this is basically rather verbally the same over and over again and certainly does tend to become a bit monotonous and dragging.

And for two, while I have no issue with the fantastical elements of Bear Noel (see above), I do think it is a bit annoying that some of the woodland animals described by Olivier Dunrea as waiting for their Christmas presents (and yes, with very delightfully sweet and softly imaginative illustrations) are creatures that in fact should be hibernating in the winter (like hedgehogs and moles), and that opossums are not really animals of the northern woodlands either (sure, opossums are now increasingly being encountered in more northern areas, but are definitely not native to the northern woodlands of either North America or Europe).

Thus for me, personally, Bear Noel is at best only a two and a half star book, but because young children, but because the intended audience would not likely have the same reading issues that adult reader I have encountered, I have decided (albeit a tiny bit grudgingly) to consider Bear Noel with a three star general rating.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The repetition in the text got a little tiresome for me, though many children enjoy that. Having recently read, The Animals Speak: A Christmas Eve Legend, I had idea in mind, of Christmas Eve being a magical time where all the animals could come together to celebrate, even if it's not really scientifically accurate that some of these animals would be awake at this time of year, or congregating together in this location. As Bear Noel says, "Christmas is here! Come gather round and feast. This is the night when all creatures may come together without fear." (Speaking of, I found it refreshing that the wolf was included as so often in children's books wolves are portrayed as evil villains and I am so tired of that.) I loved the gift(s) that Bear Noel brings and found them suitable for a group of wild animals, yet it still felt very magical and Christmas-y with the Christmas tree adorned with berries, nuts, seed balls, balls of sugar and salt The illustrations are very enjoyable, more muted than many Christmas books, yet perfect for a Christmas in the woods and the animals are well-drawn, with personality yet also looking like wild animals.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bear Noel brings Christmas gifts to the woodland animals.

This is a very gentle story in which the animals of the north woods await a visit from Bear Noel (aka Santa Bear) on Christmas with happy anticipation. It highlights Christmas Eve as a season of peace and goodwill, featuring greenery and food. Both predators and prey observe an armistice and celebrate together.

Christmas is celebrated in a secular way that, nevertheless, hints at the Nativity story. A very bright star shines in the sky as the animals trim the tree, and Bear Noel tells the animals, "Christmas is here! Come gather round and feast. This is the night when all creatures may come together without fear," which alludes to Luke 2:10's "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy."

The name Bear Noel is a clever pun on Père Noël (otherwise known as Father Christmas, Santa Claus, or St. Nicholas). In this story, the Santa Claus figure is a white polar bar who wears a fur-trimmed brown coat. He is a giver of gifts as a well as the bringer of peace.

[Farah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really lovely, and the illustrations were really good.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

While searching in the Library for some Christmas stories for my wife (Mrs. Santa Claus) to tell to kids, I came across this delightful little book for younger children. So Bear Noel comes to the northern climes at Christmas time, and in doing so brings all of the animals of the forest together in harmony. This is sort of, then, a combination of “Old MacDonald” and Isaiah 11:6, in a nice story of seasonal cheer.
Recommended for toddlers and for their parents to read it to them. Hmmm, it appears that those pundits and politicos in Washington could well do with a reading of this work, just sayin’…

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Working in a public library as I do, I am always conscious of using books about winter instead of those December holidays which not everyone celebrates. Reading this title in a library setting would work, though, because it's about a bear who brings gifts to the forest animals and no mention of
'santa.'! Nice.

[raccoon reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was a sweet book to read at Christmas time if you're looking for holiday books that aren't necessarily religious. My son (nearly 4) was not particularly in love with the book. It only got read a few times before it made its way back to the library shelves.

[Tammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Repetitive, kinda dull.

[Ad Astra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know repetition is good for kids, but as an adult I had to skip two pages to keep myself from dying inside.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

The animals of the North Woods anticipate the arrival of Bear Noel, that ursine gift giver who brings Christmas to their kind, in this lovely holiday picture book from author/illustrator Olivier Dunrea. Despite being predator and prey at other times, or habitually being in hibernation, a group of woodland creatures come together in peace, each one adding a line to their litany of eagerness, waiting for Bear Noel to arrive and share the largesse he has in store for them...

I've read a few other picture books from Dunrea, including the subsequent A Christmas Tree for Pyn , but Bear Noel is my favorite of the lot, so far! I saw it reviewed a few years ago by some friends, and meant to seek it out, only to get sidetracked, as I so frequently do. I'm glad I remembered to request it from the library this season, as I enjoyed pretty much everything about it. I appreciated the repetitive text, in which each animal adds a phrase, describing Bear Noel's actions, as it recalls certain kinds of Christmas carols, such as The Twelve Days of Christmas, which also has a structure in which repetition is used, with the original verse being continually expanded upon. I liked this ursine hero's name itself, which is a clever reference to France's Père Noël. Most of all, I loved the artwork, which is just gorgeous! I have a weakness for wintry scenes, and skillful animal depictions, and here we have both, beautifully done! Recommended to picture book readers looking for Christmas stories featuring woodland creatures.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Father Christmas for the animals: Wait until you see him, Goodreaders. Animal's Santa, lumbering along like part bear, part force of nature, and part Divine love

In this picture book, you learn how Bear Noel brings gifts to the forest's animals for Christmas. For example:

Into the clearing strides Bear Noel.
His great furry feet sweep a broad path
through the snow.
His bells jingle merrily.

Bear Noel tosses back his head and laughs.

The animals of the north woods tremble with excitement.
They pause and wait and hope.

Finally, here's one fun fact related to this book. In French, Santa Claus is called Père Noël
Not Bear but Père.

FIVE STARS for the remarkable text and also the illustrations, all from talented Olivier Dunrea.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations were well made but they were a bit bland; they didn’t change much from page to page, so my child and I weren’t totally engaged. The story was okay, but it felt like it dragged on a lot and I found the repetitive style to be annoying and boring after a bit. In other words, I needed more things to happen in this book—I feel like it lacked substance.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quietly joyful picture book about the animals eagerly awaiting the arrival of Bear Noel. The peaceful wintry illustrations of the forest animals in the snow and the reassuring repetitive text make this a good choice to read on a cold winter's night.

"He is coming . . .
Who is coming . . .
Bear Noel!"

[Andee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my Kindy kids before winter break. I loved the chance to read aloud in different voices and the repetitiveness encouraged the kids to read along. The book lent to a conversation about peace - something we all need more of now.

[sincerely · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a reread for us and we enjoyed it. I do different voices for each animal and that makes the repetition fun. Without voices, the book would be rather unbearable IMO. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful! Will probably check it out again next year but wouldn't gift it.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bear Noel is coming for Christmas. On each page an animal is added with its own phrase. When Bear Noel finally comes, he decorates the Christmas tree with a feast. This book was cute but didn't talk about the true meaning of Christmas.

[summerside · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Bear Noel, can you give me a gift?

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story with charming illustrations.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple story of animals celebrating Christmas together

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet not too long cumulative story about a Pere Noel type polar bear who brings Christmas to the animals of the far north. Understated in a nice way.

[Kristy McRae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story, beautiful animal illustrations!

[Theresa Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical!!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read-aloud. Nice, simple, sincere, cumulative woodland tale. Warm without being overly sweet. Beautifully illustrated with a palette that gives a nice contrast to other Christmas picture books.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely winter tale. Bear Noel is obviously Pere Noel in bear form. Bear Noel doesn't necessarily bring presents to the other animals, but he does bring beauty and joy, and that, somehow, is even better than presents.

The illustrations in this book also bring beauty and joy.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the idea of a woodland Santa that brings Christmas cheer to friends of the forest! It would be a nice tale to tell Joni when she's older - enchanting to think animals have a Christmas Santa of their own and it's a polar bear :)

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas comes for the northwoods animals too! The drawings are delightful and the text is nice for a small child.

[Amberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some lovely sound words in this story. The art is simple and beautiful, the story is a bit anticlimactic.

[Jennifer Miera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations. Bodhi got a kick out of this one. The story is repetitive, but that tends to appeal to kiddos.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd ask why every book has to have a bear in it ... but then he just does north woods animals SO WELL.

Again, I like the pictures more than the story. But the story is nice, too. Just love the pics!

[Denée · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute childrens story.