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Tales from Acorn Wood
Postman Bear: a lift-the-flap book
Deep in the heart of Acorn Wood, Bear is writing letters to his friends. Lift the flaps and join Frog, Squirrel and Mole for Bear's special surprise!
12 pages, Board book
First published August 11, 2000
About the author
Julia Donaldson
1,281 books2,027 followersGrowing up
I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him).
Mary and I were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and I used to write shows and choreograph ballets for us. A wind-up gramophone wafted out Chopin waltzes.
I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I’m now married.
Busking and books
Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta.
The busking led to a career in singing and songwriting, mainly for children’s television. I became an expert at writing to order on such subjects as guinea pigs, window-cleaning and horrible smells. “We want a song about throwing crumpled-up wrapping paper into the bin” was a typical request from the BBC.
I also continued to write “grown-up” songs and perform them in folk clubs and on the radio, and have recently released two CDs of these songs.
One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.
My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes.
I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books.
Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.
When I’m not writing I am often performing, at book festivals and in theatres. I really enjoy getting the children in the audience to help me act out the stories and sing the songs. When Malcolm can take time off from the hospital he and his guitar come too. and it feels as if we’ve come full circle - back to busking.
I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him).
Mary and I were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and I used to write shows and choreograph ballets for us. A wind-up gramophone wafted out Chopin waltzes.
I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I’m now married.
Busking and books
Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta.
The busking led to a career in singing and songwriting, mainly for children’s television. I became an expert at writing to order on such subjects as guinea pigs, window-cleaning and horrible smells. “We want a song about throwing crumpled-up wrapping paper into the bin” was a typical request from the BBC.
I also continued to write “grown-up” songs and perform them in folk clubs and on the radio, and have recently released two CDs of these songs.
One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.
My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes.
I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books.
Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.
When I’m not writing I am often performing, at book festivals and in theatres. I really enjoy getting the children in the audience to help me act out the stories and sing the songs. When Malcolm can take time off from the hospital he and his guitar come too. and it feels as if we’ve come full circle - back to busking.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
October 22, 2025
I got this book from great auntie Heather and co when I was in England in August. Mum and I have read it a couple times now and I really like lifting the flaps to see who’s behind it!
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July 30, 2015
Poor sod is forced to bake his own birthday cake and send out all his own invitations because his "friends" can't be bothered to do it for him. Surprised they even turned up.
December 26, 2019
Postman Bear writes three letters and goes to post them. On his way he passes a tree and the flap opens to reveal squirrel eating an acorn. He leaves a letter there for squirrel, only two letters left now.
Then he comes across a house by the river and someone lives there. Who is it? It's frog so Bear leaves a letter there, only one letter left.
Next Bear comes across a mound of earth which has a door into it. And behind the door is mole. Bear leaves his third letter there and now has none left.
The recipients read their letters and frog shows his off to reveal 'Come to my party'.
Bear is now back home, cooking and on opening the flap of the oven a cake is revealed being baked.
The last flap to be lifted reveals three visitors at the door of Bear's house and each of the visitors has a parcel under his arm. 'Happy Birthday, Bear!'
The usual delightful illustrations accompany Julia Donaldson's text.
Then he comes across a house by the river and someone lives there. Who is it? It's frog so Bear leaves a letter there, only one letter left.
Next Bear comes across a mound of earth which has a door into it. And behind the door is mole. Bear leaves his third letter there and now has none left.
The recipients read their letters and frog shows his off to reveal 'Come to my party'.
Bear is now back home, cooking and on opening the flap of the oven a cake is revealed being baked.
The last flap to be lifted reveals three visitors at the door of Bear's house and each of the visitors has a parcel under his arm. 'Happy Birthday, Bear!'
The usual delightful illustrations accompany Julia Donaldson's text.
August 18, 2022
Ajándékba kaptuk, és elsőre nem is gondoltam, hogy ennyire tetszeni fog a kisfiamnak. Kihajtós ablakok vannak benne, amikkel már kezdettől egész ügyesen bánik, pedig nem annyira erős vagy vastag a papír.
A sztoriban Mackó leveleket ír és kézbesít a barátainak, amiben meghívja őket a szülinapjára. Tortát (kuglófot ?) süt, és megérkeznek a vendégek, ezzel a cliffhangerrel véget is ér a mese. :D
A férjem szerint amúgy be vannak ekizve a szerepők, annyira ki van gúvadva a szemük. :"D Ezen mindig nevetnem kell. Amúgy azért fura, mert nincs szemhéjuk.
Azóta láttam, hogy van több része is ennek a könyvsorozatnak, de sajnos pl. pont a cicás és a rókás nem kapható, amire kíváncsi lettem volna.
A sztoriban Mackó leveleket ír és kézbesít a barátainak, amiben meghívja őket a szülinapjára. Tortát (kuglófot ?) süt, és megérkeznek a vendégek, ezzel a cliffhangerrel véget is ér a mese. :D
A férjem szerint amúgy be vannak ekizve a szerepők, annyira ki van gúvadva a szemük. :"D Ezen mindig nevetnem kell. Amúgy azért fura, mert nincs szemhéjuk.
Azóta láttam, hogy van több része is ennek a könyvsorozatnak, de sajnos pl. pont a cicás és a rókás nem kapható, amire kíváncsi lettem volna.
August 30, 2019
Ich kann es auswendig
March 9, 2017
Loved it
August 14, 2019
My daughter absolutely adores these books.
September 20, 2025
An absolute classic - highly recommended
November 12, 2013
Postman Bear is a short simple story that follows a bear on his journey to post 3 letters for his friends; he wants to invite them to his birthday party.
I came across this book in a Nursery setting and think it is a charming short story for young children to easily be able to read and understand.
This book would be suitable for children in an Early Years setting (3-5 years) as it is very accessible with the simple language and easy storyline to follow. It would make a great book to read to children in a Nursery setting as it introduces number and counting; there are 3 letters that need posting, 3 different sizes, and Bear receives 3 knocks on his door. The story would be a good Literacy topic for the week, introducing to children how to write a letter and being able to write their names (to sign on a letter template), and it could also be cross-linked to teaching Maths, with the use of number and counting, as well as size (small, middle, big).
This is a very simple read but has some great learning opportunities for young children developing in the Early Years.
I came across this book in a Nursery setting and think it is a charming short story for young children to easily be able to read and understand.
This book would be suitable for children in an Early Years setting (3-5 years) as it is very accessible with the simple language and easy storyline to follow. It would make a great book to read to children in a Nursery setting as it introduces number and counting; there are 3 letters that need posting, 3 different sizes, and Bear receives 3 knocks on his door. The story would be a good Literacy topic for the week, introducing to children how to write a letter and being able to write their names (to sign on a letter template), and it could also be cross-linked to teaching Maths, with the use of number and counting, as well as size (small, middle, big).
This is a very simple read but has some great learning opportunities for young children developing in the Early Years.
November 11, 2012
This book is about a bear who is writing letters.He writes three letters and then goes to the houses of his friends Frog,mole and squirrel to post them. When his friends open the letter they find that it is an invitation to Bear's birthday party. The book includes interactive flaps which can be lifted to reveal extra information about the story. This is both fun and surprising for children. This book is aimed at Early Years children (3-5). It can be used to introduce basic counting to the children and can also be used for group role play.
September 10, 2018
I like the post and the flaps.
January 3, 2025
Quaint, basic and short.
The book is comprised of a very short tale of a bear inviting three friends to his birthday party. Younger readers can enjoy the well-known illustrations and get to interact with the flaps. There is not much else to say really which the rating reflects. The storyline is barely a few sentences long with a simple rhyming structure, and the flap reveals are expected even for the age range it is aimed at, so it struggles to be engaging.
"Someone's knocking at the door. One, two, three." - Page 11
The book is comprised of a very short tale of a bear inviting three friends to his birthday party. Younger readers can enjoy the well-known illustrations and get to interact with the flaps. There is not much else to say really which the rating reflects. The storyline is barely a few sentences long with a simple rhyming structure, and the flap reveals are expected even for the age range it is aimed at, so it struggles to be engaging.
"Someone's knocking at the door. One, two, three." - Page 11
September 27, 2023
I liked the story well enough- Bear seems a jolly sort of fellow. However- since I’ve read many different tales of the Acorn Wood I can’t help but notice how Bear obviously leaves out most of their friends- only inviting three of them in the end to his birthday party. My enjoyment of the tale was marred by the thought of how his friends felt when they must have wandered by his house and overheard the festivities to which they hadn’t been invited.
October 2, 2018
My daughter loves this book and we have read it every night since she received it for her first birthday. She loves opening the flaps and knocking on the door when Bear’s friends arrive to wish him happy birthday. I was disappointed with the rhyme as it is quite repetitive and feels a bit lazy in places, so score based on that, rather than my daughter’s response!
January 12, 2020
2 1/2 stars - it's ok.
Bear writes three letters and delivers them to his friends. Who lives in the mound of earth? What did the letters say? Lift the flaps and find out.
This simple story doesn't make my "yes, you have to read this to your baby/toddler", but it's cute for what it is.
Bear writes three letters and delivers them to his friends. Who lives in the mound of earth? What did the letters say? Lift the flaps and find out.
This simple story doesn't make my "yes, you have to read this to your baby/toddler", but it's cute for what it is.
February 8, 2020
Cuki kis történet: van benne izgalom, mivégett is íródnak a levelek, és nincs kimondva a szülinap, de a gyerek levonja a következtetést, lehet róla beszélgetni. A rímek is végre jók :)
Nem kedvenc könyv, de tényleg nagyon jó.
Nem kedvenc könyv, de tényleg nagyon jó.
May 31, 2021
First published in 2000, 'Postman Bear' is a short story about a bear delivering invitations to his friends, supported by great illustrations and lift-a-flap reveals. My 2-year-old grand-daughter loved it and was soon picking up words describing characters, a big hit.
August 5, 2024
Donaldson Sons #17
Tales from Acorn Wood #1
First tale in the series sees tale about bear is of some interest, but not really much to hang your hat on so to speak.
Average forgettable yarn for the young folk.
Tales from Acorn Wood #1
First tale in the series sees tale about bear is of some interest, but not really much to hang your hat on so to speak.
Average forgettable yarn for the young folk.
March 6, 2018
Postman Bear gets a nice surprise.
January 5, 2019
Sweet lift the flap book that my 3yo loves. Off to read it to him again...
February 15, 2019
8 month old baby likes this book, might become more of a favourite as he gets a little older. Nice sturdy pages (though the flaps a a little flimsy) nice illustrations.
November 10, 2019
My little boy loves this book
July 12, 2020
The story is simple for the youngest kids. Luka likes the lift the flaps aspect of the book.
November 27, 2020
Прекрасную книжку Таися получала на др ❤️ сама открывала вставочки!
January 3, 2021
Bebeğinize keyifle okuyabileceğiniz kapakçıklı bir kitap Ayının yazdığı mektuplar kime gidecek acaba?
May 26, 2021
*SPOILERS*
We enjoyed that it was the Bears birthday
We enjoyed that it was the Bears birthday
March 5, 2022
Not as good as ‘Hide & Seek Pig’ but Noah still likes it.
May 24, 2022
A sweet lift the flap book, with a little counting.
July 9, 2022
B enjoyed lifting the flaps in this book.
B would say “Appy Birthday Bear!” at the end.
B would say “Appy Birthday Bear!” at the end.
December 31, 2022
Wenig Text, klare Illustrationen und tolle Klappen. Mittlerweile kann ich sie mit Mamas Hilfe auch öffnen ohne sie abzureißen.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews