Bear & Hare Share!

Bear & Hare

by Emily Gravett

Two friends learn to share in this fourth picture book in a charming and clever series from Emily Gravett.

Friends Bear and Hare go for a walk to look for things to do. But Hare is finding it hard to share anything they come across. Will Hare ever learn that playing together is more fun than yelling “Mine!”?

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 5, 2016

About the author

Emily Gravett is twice winner of the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal and the Nestlé Children's Book Prize Bronze Award for WOLVES and LITTLE MOUSE'S BIG BOOK OF FEARS. An author/illustrator of unique talent and tremendous skill, she has a host of critically acclaimed books to her name, including BLUE CHAMELEON, WOLF WON'T BITE! and AGAIN! Emily lives in Brighton with her partner and their daughter.

Reviews

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Sorry we missed yesterday’s review! As we get closer to our moving day, that may happen intermittently. But today, we’re back with a review of Bear & Hare Share! by Emily Gravett, a story about the power of sharing… sort of.

Best friends Bear and Hare set out on a walk one day looking for things to do. As they come upon a bright flower, Hare exclaims his joy and snatches it up. “Share?” asks Bear. “Mine!” declares Hare, and chomps the flower down in one bite. Much is the same for the ice cream and balloon they find: Bear asks to share, but Hare will not. At last Hare, alone, comes upon some honey – and the bees that made it! After getting a sharp stinging lesson in not stealing honey, Bear is there to share his first aid kit, and tenderly cares for his friend. Afterwards, he asks to share some of Hare’s honey, to which Hare again refuses.

If that sounds like a strange ending, well, yeah. I’m normally a huge fan of Emily Gravett’s stories, with their simple style and charming art, but this one just fell flat for me. I really didn’t like that Hare learned nothing from the experience, and continued to refuse to share with his inordinately patient friend. I think it’s meant as humor, but it just didn’t really land for us. The art is great, the length is fine, and there were lots of things and simple words that JJ could identify, which she enjoyed. But overall, the negative message of this one made for a pretty disappointing read, so we can’t put our stamp of approval on it. Go check out any of Emily Gravett’s other books, most of which are delightful.

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

#60 in my 365 Kids Books challenge. For a fuller explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf. I can't wait to see if I make it. Or when I make it. Whichever.

This is a reread. I'm a big fan of Gravett's work. But the most striking thing on this read: No gendered pronouns. No suggestion of gender. No gender markers, like skirts and long eyelashes and hairbows, because 1. to indicate that a character is female one must distinguish her from a normal character, who is male by default, and 2. the only overt gender markers are mostly inappropriate for characters due to age or time period. Yes, it's an ongoing annoyance of mine. Seriously, there are only like three picture books that don't do that. Maybe. Not counting X: A Fabulous Child's Story which is out of print and worth a mint.

Bear and Hare don't remain genderless in all the books, but still. Small victories.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice simply worded story about sharing and friends. The pictures are large to share with a group.

I'm much confused by the last few pages of the story. It says "Bear and Hare went for a walk" which is the nice repetitive phrase used in the story, however the story goes on to say "but bear wasn't there". So why did the story say he was??? Also in a later picture Hare has the honeycomb in his mouth, then a few pages late the honeycomb is in a jar. I'm thinking if it confuses me what will a young reader see? Hopefully they will understand it better than me!

[Angelina · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was fun. I love bear and hare!

[Aneesa · Rating 1 out of 5]

We thought the last page was missing.

[Emily Kelin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is repetitive and simple and has a lesson but is not preachy. Gravett uses handwritten text alongside the illustrations to illustrate the personalities of her characters. When Bear and Hare go for a walk, Hare says "Oooh, a flower!"and "Oooh, ice cream!" showing that he is the one who is less focused on the experience and the company and more focused on what he can get while he is out. The images also show emotions for young readers to infer (when Bear asks "Share?" with a sad face and Hare screams "MINE!" with angled eyebrows and red eyes). Some of the pages do not have text and young readers must infer what happened solely from the illustrations. This book could be read independently by a very young reader and could be used to discuss character actions and emotions.

[Shilpa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Bear and Hare: Mine" is a beautiful book for no rhyme or reason except that it contains the quintessential elements that captivate younger audiences -- a playful rhythm, simple story telling and beautiful emotive illustrations. This is Emily Gravett's book after all, and the winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal knows how to draw your attention.

Read More: http://sukasareads.blogspot.com/2016/...

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily Gravett's Bear and Hare stories do not disappoint, and this one is fun. What happens when someone won't ever share? Sometimes it's okay, and sometimes, it's disaster! Hare is not in a sharing mood this day. It's okay to Bear sometimes, and Hare doesn't give in, but there is a part of a friendship that maybe Hare needs to learn? You'll have to read the story to see what happens. It's an amusing story for conversation about friendship, and to see what Bear and Hare are up to this time.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book uses spare, simple text and warm, colorful illustrations to teach an important lesson about sharing and kindness. Bear and Hare are out for a walk. While Hare refuses to share when he finds flowers, ice cream, and a balloon, Bear remains very patient with him. Later on, when Hare needs Bear's help, Bear models kindness and forgiveness. This would be awesome to share with young children to discuss these messages.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hare is not very good at sharing, but still Bear remains his friend. I wasn't too thrilled with the one-sidedness of this relationship, but the author's artwork is adorable.

[Kelly]

This one was pretty eh for me, and I love Emily Gravett's work! I mean, the characters are still cute, but the ending was pretty abrupt. They didn't learn to share. I didn't get it. Too many Bear & Hare books in too short a time!

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like Emily Gravett, but this series continues to leave me cold. If this is supposed to be "It's nice to share," better-than-the-Berenstains sort of book, why is it that on the last page, Hare once again seems to be refusing to share?

Nice pictures. Wish she'd get a new series.

[Reyn Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reyn really enjoys this book at 8 months old and often picks this book out. Think he will continue to enjoy it as he grows. Nice bold expressive illustrations. Catchy repetition in the text. Good little story.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Emily Gravett books! Simple stories with adorable pictures.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As playful and charming as the other books featuring this pair.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it right up the ending which felt way too abrupt for young readers - and me.

[Bill]

Illustrations great as usual; they outstrip the narrative by quite a bit.

[Allison]

Not my favorite Gravett but very fun.

[Casandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharing. Good story time book

[Awjtf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book!

[Susan Dunn]

So cute!

[Debby Baumgartner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bear and Hare go for a walk but one of them has trouble with sharing.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the rhyming title. I bet many kids can relate to being in Bear's position or in Hare's shoes.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can bear and hare learn to share? A fabulous new Emily Gravett without the twist.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the illustrations, they add to the text immeasurably. I can't wait to try it with two readers in storytime.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story and pictures

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, simple, adorable.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would make a good read aloud.

"Bear and Hare went for a walk. But Bear was not there."
Was Bear on that walk or not, Book. You're sending me mixed messages.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple yet adorable. Perfect for reinforcing the "I Will Share" nursery lesson.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

For PreK & K readers on sharing and friendship - illustrations and thick paper make up for the slight story line.