Bear Make Den

by Jane Godwin, Michael Wagner, Andrew Joyner (Illustrator)

Bear has made a wonderful den for himself, but is something missing? A warm, playful story about what truly makes a home.

“Den good. Den great. Den just right.”

Bear is sitting on the floor of his empty new den when he suddenly notices it’s not quite done. It needs . . . chairs! And a table! But stretched out on his table after a carpentry job well done, Bear realizes his den is still not quite right. . . . Cozy furniture, nice lamps, delicious food, an enticing game — is there anything Bear’s den still needs as he stands alone and surveys his handiwork? Vibrantly colored illustrations make kids feel right at home in this fun-to-read ode to friendship.

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

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

Jane Godwin is the Publisher, Books for Children and Young Adults, at Penguin Books Australia. She is also a highly acclaimed author of many books for children. Her work is published internationally and she has received many commendations. The Family Tree won the 2000 Queensland Premier's Award (Children's Books); Sebby, Stee, the Garbos and Me was shortlisted for the 1999 New South Wales State Literary Award (Patricia Wrightson Prize) and was a YABBA finalist; and The True Story of Mary was shortlisted for the 2006 CBCA Book of the Year Awards, Younger Readers. In 2009 her picture book with illustrator Anna Walker, Little Cat and the Big Red Bus, was a notable book in the CBCA Awards and was also shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia Awards, Lower Primary division. Jane's most recent novel is Falling From Grace, and her most recent picture book is All Through the Year, illustrated by Anna Walker, due for publication in October 2010.

Jane lives in Melbourne with her family. Her hobbies seem to have fallen by the wayside a little since she has taken on the role of publisher, but from what she remembers, they were playing tennis, walking, reading (things other than manuscripts), doing cryptic crosswords, talking about the need to do gardening (and sometimes even doing it), cooking, playing piano, spending time with friends and mucking around with family which consists of partner Michael and two adolescents, Wil (19) and Lizzie (17). She still manages the cryptic crosswords, friends and family.

Jane also enjoys working creatively with school students, encouraging them to develop confidence in their own creativity, ideas and abilities.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear has built himself an awesome man bear cave. He's got everything a bear needs, including games and cake. And, yet . . . something's missing.

This is an entertaining story, and the happy illustrations by Andrew Joyner really add to the fun.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The endearing, expressive bear is the star of the show in this book of few words. The authors employ a cave-speak style that conflicts with Bear’s human-like qualities, from wearing overalls to building furniture and baking a cake. Still, when combined with the strong illustrations, the text completes an amusing book. The brush and ink illustrations are digitally colored, using soft hues that often reflect the nature setting. Bear himself is rotund and soft-looking, making him a likeable main character. This picture book would make an engaging read aloud for one-on-one or classroom sharing.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the classic-feeling illustrations. Not so hot on the story, though I do look forward to seeing if the photo inference works for young readers as a simple den becomes progressively busier throughout the book.

Ridiculous criticisms: The bear should have made pizza and not cake in his clay oven and he should have had over a few close friends rather than all the bears within hollerin' distance. His den is gonna be wrecked!

[Dimity Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, succinct, adorably uncomplicated. Themes centre on innovation, relationships, and social identity.

[Elle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bear need-S better grammar to describe his den.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really liked the illustrations though the text started irritating me quite quickly (what's wrong with using correct speech patterns and not this dumbed-down caveman sort-of talk thing happening here?). Agree with another reviewer, it should have fully been pizza in the oven. Also, his place is going to be way too small in about 3 seconds, so I predict a sequel where Bear has to either build another den/bigger den for his new family or move. Meh.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bear makes a den, but then realizes it's missing something. Is it a couch? A table? Light? Art on the walls? Will Bear ever figure out what his den needs to feel like a home? This story lends itself perfectly to making predictions and will most likely have young students shouting out suggestions to Bear. The one drawback is grammatically incorrect text, which might drive some adults crazy.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

To me the grammar is the reason for 2 stars. Sparse text is one thing but there is no reason for the text to be grammatically incorrect which is a shame because the story is fun and I like the idea behind it.

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty illustrations with a vintage feel. Bear is building a den and has to think about all the things he needs (chairs, table, lights, and finally...friends!) Did not work as well for a read-aloud as I thought it would though.

[Paige M · Rating 3 out of 5]

bear makes a den, makes it comfy, and then invites the other bears :)

[Jacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm unclear as to why bear talks like a caveman, but I would use this in a house and home storytime.

[Julie Grasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 year old adores this one.

[Laine · Rating 1 out of 5]

not a fan of books where grammar is played with fast and loose tbh.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think people will have fun guessing what Bear is going to make next.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple text, great visual clues, and the perfect amount of repetitiveness make this a great book to recommend to young kids who want to feel successful reading independently.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great one for practicing inferring as you think about what the bear will make next for his den. A cute story, great illustrations...I felt like I was back in the forest with Yogi Bear!

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the wording, pictures and the message and so did my kids.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really bold illustrations and good predictive text. Great for 3-5 y.o. storytimes.

[Kalynda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a cute book if you are searching for the importance of social connections, but not if you are searching for a cute story about bear habitats.

[Marissa Elera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bear and his den are delightful.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun man (bear) cave book, saving this for storytime.

[Casandria · Rating 5 out of 5]

So simple and fun! I will definitely use this in storytime :)

[stillme · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids (10 & 5) LOVE this - they think it's hilarious.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. Cleverly simple text to convey the essential necessities of a home and the absolute necessity of companions. Fun, delightful story with bold and bright illustrations.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the chess pieces.

[Andrea Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you need for the good life? Apparently, a den. But if you have a den, den you'll need ....

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to get past the incorrect grammar but I managed!

[Amy Sands · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for making predictions.

[Andrés · Rating 1 out of 5]

The illustrations did not even carry the story in lieu of poor grammar. I might have bumped to 2 stars if the illustrations allowed readers to guess the next "need" correctly.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good illustrations, so-so text.