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Old Bear: The New York Times Bestseller - A Picture Book About Dreams and Nature's Seasons
Snug and warm, curled and furry, Old Bear sleeps.
Red, orange, and brown leaves fly through the air, and it is snowing hard. Old Bear doesn't notice.
Old Bear is dreaming about being a cub again. He is dreaming about the beauty of the world. He is dreaming of everything he loves about the forest that is his home.
Turn the page and you will see!
Red, orange, and brown leaves fly through the air, and it is snowing hard. Old Bear doesn't notice.
Old Bear is dreaming about being a cub again. He is dreaming about the beauty of the world. He is dreaming of everything he loves about the forest that is his home.
Turn the page and you will see!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 19, 2008
12 people are currently reading
829 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Henkes
147 books1,213 followersKevin Henkes is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. As an illustrator he won the Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon (2004). Two of his books were Newbery Medal Honor Books, Olive's Ocean in 2004 and The Year of Billy Miller in 2014. His picture book Waiting was named both a 2016 Caldecott Honor Book and a Geisel Honor Book. It was only the second time any author has won that combination of awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 370 reviews
October 13, 2019
A sweet and yes also deceptively simple little story with enchantingly evocative accompanying artwork about an elderly bear who during his annual wintertime sleep is both dreaming about being a young cub again and equally delightfully enjoying the four seasons (spring flowers, summer berries, autumnal salmon runs, sparkling winter snowscapes), I was at first definitely thinking that with Old Bear author/illustrator Kevin Henkes would not really be presenting any actual hard fact information on bona fide ursine behaviour. However, while one might indeed consider some of Kevin Henkes’ text a bit anthropomorphic in scope and feel, in my opinion, much of Old Bear’s dream in fact does deal very specifically with what bears do in reality need to consume throughout in particular the summer and the fall in order to fatten themselves up for their winter hibernation-like sleep (for yes, the blueberries and salmon that appear in the bear’s dream are amongst a bear’s primary food sources for obtaining an adequate layer of fat to nourish them during their winter sleep).
And furthermore, I also do not think that with Old Bear Kevin Henkes is making his main character artificially human, as it is certainly not only humans who dream and that of course and naturally, when animals like bears dream, it to and for me sure does make sense that they would like Kevin Henkes’ Old Bear be dreaming about that what is important to them, things like seasonal changes and the foods they must or rather should consume prior to hibernating (or rather prior to sleeping, as bears do not actually truly hibernate in a strict sense, but fall into a deep sleep). Four stars and highly recommended, although if you are expecting a detailed depiction of ursine behaviours and many included scientific specifics as examples, you might well be disappointed, as while Old Bear does present this to a point with regard to the berries and salmon shown during that dream sequence, most of Kevin Henkes’ text and his accompanying illustrations are first and foremost simply a lovely story about Old Bear dreaming the winter away.
And furthermore, I also do not think that with Old Bear Kevin Henkes is making his main character artificially human, as it is certainly not only humans who dream and that of course and naturally, when animals like bears dream, it to and for me sure does make sense that they would like Kevin Henkes’ Old Bear be dreaming about that what is important to them, things like seasonal changes and the foods they must or rather should consume prior to hibernating (or rather prior to sleeping, as bears do not actually truly hibernate in a strict sense, but fall into a deep sleep). Four stars and highly recommended, although if you are expecting a detailed depiction of ursine behaviours and many included scientific specifics as examples, you might well be disappointed, as while Old Bear does present this to a point with regard to the berries and salmon shown during that dream sequence, most of Kevin Henkes’ text and his accompanying illustrations are first and foremost simply a lovely story about Old Bear dreaming the winter away.
February 14, 2020
I absolutely loved the artwork in this book. As bear dreams about going through the seasons we are presented with wonderful scenes. Both the fall and the winter appealed to me the most. The cover it's self under the sleeve was also lovely.
January 24, 2009
Readers are immersed into the warm, colorful and imaginative pages beautifully illustrated by Kevin Henkes in Old Bear. After several readings of Old Bear, including a read-aloud for my first-grade class, I have concluded that it is a children’s picture book worthy of consideration for the Caldecott Medal.
Few words are needed to tell the story of the old bear sleeping through the winter and dreaming of his younger, cub days. The seasons and color schemes change as we turn each page. Children are delighted by the colors, creativity and exquisite artwork. My students giggled at the daisy sun, blueberry raindrops and multi-colored stars. Old Bear provides a visual experience as it moves the reader through the bear’s dream. It clearly depicts a seasonal theme as the bear slumbers through winter and emerges into spring. It is evident that the exceptional artwork and story belong solely to Kevin Henkes.
Young children are clearly a potential audience for this book. Primary-age children can relate with the bear because they often compare their current world to their life as a baby. In addition, young children love to pretend and one has to “make-believe” in order to enjoy Old Bear. The senses are included in the story. The detailed artwork enables us to see, feel, hear, smell and even taste the dream sequence.
Old Bear can be used in a multitude of ways for instructional purposes. The illustrations encourage creativity and allow students to extend writing. Vocabulary and word choice can be taught and modeled using this book. Themes such as seasons and change go perfectly with this text. The sensory imagery reading strategy can be modeled and taught using Old Bear. Finally, perhaps the most important way Old Bear can be used for instructional purposes is to engage and delight students as they follow the old bear through the seasons and learn how much fun reading can be.
July 16, 2009
Gosh, I just want to snuggle up to Old Bear! Isn't he the cutest!? The story is simple and whimsical--Old Bear hibernates and has fanciful dreams of being a cub again, sleeping in a flower in spring, catching blueberry-raindrops on his tongue in summer. The illustrations are warm and interesting and capture the curiosity and appreciation for nature that Bear feels.
June 25, 2022
25 June 2022
Only rarely when one is reading aloud does one have the opportunity to really look. So I like this better than I did the first time through. Yes, the text is simple and straightforward, but it's hard to be simple without becoming simplistic.
And yes, the art is lovely, and my love of illustrated endpapers is fulfilled. But if I noticed before that the ink here looks to be felt-tipped markers, I didn't bother to remark upon it. But very few illustrators work in markers. No doubt there are good reasons, but I swoon for saturated colors, and I appreciate a chisel tip or wide nib that permits variations in line width based on orientation. I noticed the sketch lines Henkes had beneath the outlines, and the texture of the paper beneath the colors. I noticed how much the outline colors changed the feel of each picture (and boy would I love to see one or more of these spreads with the inked outlines rendered in each of the different colors used on other pages). I noticed the translucence of the watercolor and the ink, where the paper acts in the place of light. I also noticed the differing weights of lines and how they reinforce both the perception of depth and of texture.
I don't know what the difference, if any, between "marker" and "ink" might be, and I don't know if I am correct about any of this. But it does give me different ideas about how I would make a picture, if only as an experiment. It also makes me wish more coloring books used a lighter color and weight for the lines, just so I could play with the idea.
Bound volumes of comic books often include pictures of the art in progress. Wouldn't it be awesome if illustrators of picture books for children would document their process like that? It would be annoying and time consuming just figuring out the process if one were trying for consistency, I get that. But even small low-quality snapshots taken more-or-less at random would be neat. Bob Ross is perennially popular for more than his reassuring commentary. Unlike sausage, it's very cool to see art being created. And what a boon it would be for the chronically-underfunded art departments of most public schools.
Possibly this is a very bad idea for reasons I don't know enough to consider. Possibly someone will even point out the flaws to me. But maybe a children's imprint will do such a thing someday. Isn't it pretty to think so?
***
12 October 2008
Henkes does lovely pictures. What more does one require?
Library copy
Only rarely when one is reading aloud does one have the opportunity to really look. So I like this better than I did the first time through. Yes, the text is simple and straightforward, but it's hard to be simple without becoming simplistic.
And yes, the art is lovely, and my love of illustrated endpapers is fulfilled. But if I noticed before that the ink here looks to be felt-tipped markers, I didn't bother to remark upon it. But very few illustrators work in markers. No doubt there are good reasons, but I swoon for saturated colors, and I appreciate a chisel tip or wide nib that permits variations in line width based on orientation. I noticed the sketch lines Henkes had beneath the outlines, and the texture of the paper beneath the colors. I noticed how much the outline colors changed the feel of each picture (and boy would I love to see one or more of these spreads with the inked outlines rendered in each of the different colors used on other pages). I noticed the translucence of the watercolor and the ink, where the paper acts in the place of light. I also noticed the differing weights of lines and how they reinforce both the perception of depth and of texture.
I don't know what the difference, if any, between "marker" and "ink" might be, and I don't know if I am correct about any of this. But it does give me different ideas about how I would make a picture, if only as an experiment. It also makes me wish more coloring books used a lighter color and weight for the lines, just so I could play with the idea.
Bound volumes of comic books often include pictures of the art in progress. Wouldn't it be awesome if illustrators of picture books for children would document their process like that? It would be annoying and time consuming just figuring out the process if one were trying for consistency, I get that. But even small low-quality snapshots taken more-or-less at random would be neat. Bob Ross is perennially popular for more than his reassuring commentary. Unlike sausage, it's very cool to see art being created. And what a boon it would be for the chronically-underfunded art departments of most public schools.
Possibly this is a very bad idea for reasons I don't know enough to consider. Possibly someone will even point out the flaws to me. But maybe a children's imprint will do such a thing someday. Isn't it pretty to think so?
***
12 October 2008
Henkes does lovely pictures. What more does one require?
Library copy
August 17, 2021
An old bear has hibernation dreams of being a cub and delicious things to eat every season - great art.
October 6, 2019
An old bear settles in for the winter in this sweet and very simple picture-book from Kevin Henkes, who is probably best known for his "mouse stories" - titles like the Caldecott Honor Book
Owen
,
Chrysanthemum
, and
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
. Dreaming of the spring, and of his days as a young cub, the bear experiences the glories of the seasons, before waking up and discovering that another winter has passed.
There is a gentle quality to this simple tale, with no more than a sentence or two per page, that is immensely appealing. The accompanying illustrations, created with watercolor paint and ink, have the feeling almost of woodblock prints: a style that I find very appealing. There's not much to it, but the overall feeling of Old Bear is one of contented sleepiness. What could be better, in a bedtime book?
There is a gentle quality to this simple tale, with no more than a sentence or two per page, that is immensely appealing. The accompanying illustrations, created with watercolor paint and ink, have the feeling almost of woodblock prints: a style that I find very appealing. There's not much to it, but the overall feeling of Old Bear is one of contented sleepiness. What could be better, in a bedtime book?
October 6, 2019
This charmer would work even better as a board book, imo. It's so simple and straightforward, but also lovely; tots would love a copy of their very own.
For a bit I thought that the bear was going to die. The dreams recapitulating cubhood certainly pointed to that. And if it was written by, say, Cynthia Rylant, he may well have died, and woken up in Heaven. That would be a neat book too. But in this one he does not die, so, yeah, tot-friendly.
For a bit I thought that the bear was going to die. The dreams recapitulating cubhood certainly pointed to that. And if it was written by, say, Cynthia Rylant, he may well have died, and woken up in Heaven. That would be a neat book too. But in this one he does not die, so, yeah, tot-friendly.
June 16, 2017
Awwwwww! What a sweet, sweet book! I love the gentle nostalgia, the dreams of spring and summer bounty, the cuteness of the friendly old bear. Just lovely!
July 28, 2020
Read dozens of times, favorite of my little ones
April 14, 2017
Simple, cute, and colorful, if a little too pastel-heavy for me like many of Henkes books. The spring scene at the end is stunning.
October 19, 2011
Old Bear by Kevin Henkes is a hibernation story about a bear who dreams his way through the winter.
As leaves fly and snowfall begins, Old Bear finds a hollow tree and quickly falls asleep. Old Bear dreams of the four seasons, picturing himself as a cub sleeping in a giant pink Spring crocus. Bear's Summer dream features a daisy as the sun and blueberry rainfall. The Autumn dream features the world in yellows, oranges, and reds including the birds, fish and water. Bear's Winter dream shows the world covered in ice and multi-colored stars. As Bear finally wakes up, half expecting to see snow, he blinks to discover that Spring has sprung in all its glory. He pads off into the beautiful world.
The text is in a bold font with the dream portions featured in different colors. Henkes uses few, but well chosen words to tell the story of Old Bear.
Watercolor paints and ink were used to create the art. Henkes' illustrations feature a fat and happy Bear who has fantastic, colorful dreams of himself as a cub.
The fantasy illustrations are the highlight of this book. Children will enjoy this old bear. It should make a good read-aloud. My favorite illustrations include young bear in Spring and in Winter, the four panel look at Old Bear asleep, and Old Bear emerging into spring in full bloom.
I have used two other books about hibernation for years: Every Autumn Comes the Bear shows a more realistic view of the start of hibernation, and Sleepy Bear focusing on the hibernation process and the bear's love of honey. I recently reviewed and reread Sleepy Bear and was intrigued by a number of similarities in pictures it shares with Old Bear. In both Bear is shown going in to hibernate among the Autumn leaves. Both show Bear shifting positions mulltiple times and a pictues of each yawning. Both show Bear in wide eyed astonishment at what he sees as he emerges from hibernation. Similar back views show Bear padding off into the world. Of course Henkes focuses on the seasonal dreams of Old Bear, while Dabcovich focuses on the sleepiness and hunger for honey of the sleepy bear.
For ages 3 to 8, animals, bears, seasons, hibernation, nature, read-aloud, and fans of Kevin Henkes.
As leaves fly and snowfall begins, Old Bear finds a hollow tree and quickly falls asleep. Old Bear dreams of the four seasons, picturing himself as a cub sleeping in a giant pink Spring crocus. Bear's Summer dream features a daisy as the sun and blueberry rainfall. The Autumn dream features the world in yellows, oranges, and reds including the birds, fish and water. Bear's Winter dream shows the world covered in ice and multi-colored stars. As Bear finally wakes up, half expecting to see snow, he blinks to discover that Spring has sprung in all its glory. He pads off into the beautiful world.
The text is in a bold font with the dream portions featured in different colors. Henkes uses few, but well chosen words to tell the story of Old Bear.
Watercolor paints and ink were used to create the art. Henkes' illustrations feature a fat and happy Bear who has fantastic, colorful dreams of himself as a cub.
The fantasy illustrations are the highlight of this book. Children will enjoy this old bear. It should make a good read-aloud. My favorite illustrations include young bear in Spring and in Winter, the four panel look at Old Bear asleep, and Old Bear emerging into spring in full bloom.
I have used two other books about hibernation for years: Every Autumn Comes the Bear shows a more realistic view of the start of hibernation, and Sleepy Bear focusing on the hibernation process and the bear's love of honey. I recently reviewed and reread Sleepy Bear and was intrigued by a number of similarities in pictures it shares with Old Bear. In both Bear is shown going in to hibernate among the Autumn leaves. Both show Bear shifting positions mulltiple times and a pictues of each yawning. Both show Bear in wide eyed astonishment at what he sees as he emerges from hibernation. Similar back views show Bear padding off into the world. Of course Henkes focuses on the seasonal dreams of Old Bear, while Dabcovich focuses on the sleepiness and hunger for honey of the sleepy bear.
For ages 3 to 8, animals, bears, seasons, hibernation, nature, read-aloud, and fans of Kevin Henkes.
January 22, 2009
The leaves on the inside front cover and the flowers on the inside back cover orient the reader to what season we are in. The title page introduces us to a friendly-looking bear who is sitting fat and happy, and as we turn to the verso and dedication page, our fat and happy bear is beginning his journey into a long winter's nap. The illustrations are easily readable, and very expressive without words.
As the story continues and the text is added, Henkes does a marvelous job of telling the story with very few words. As the reader gets into the dreams of the Old Bear, the illustrations take on a vivid, brilliant and unrealistic look where "flowers are almost as big as trees," and everything is purple, yellow or pink. As Old Bear travels through the seasons in his dreams, the scenery changes and his world is made up of make-believe things like blueberry rain and a daisy sun. Each season is represented by a different color scheme that would be easy for children to identify. Perhaps the most beautiful page is winter where the "sky is blazing with stars of all colors." The serenity and quiet that is exhibited on this page will make the reader feel as if their footprints will be the first in the snow.
This book, with all its simplicity and sweetness, will place the reader right into Old Bear's dreams with that surrealistic feeling that we so often feel while we are sleeping.
My only note is that Old Bear actually looks like a very young bear, perhaps even like a bear cub. Even his dreams are the makings of a young, carefree bear.
As the story continues and the text is added, Henkes does a marvelous job of telling the story with very few words. As the reader gets into the dreams of the Old Bear, the illustrations take on a vivid, brilliant and unrealistic look where "flowers are almost as big as trees," and everything is purple, yellow or pink. As Old Bear travels through the seasons in his dreams, the scenery changes and his world is made up of make-believe things like blueberry rain and a daisy sun. Each season is represented by a different color scheme that would be easy for children to identify. Perhaps the most beautiful page is winter where the "sky is blazing with stars of all colors." The serenity and quiet that is exhibited on this page will make the reader feel as if their footprints will be the first in the snow.
This book, with all its simplicity and sweetness, will place the reader right into Old Bear's dreams with that surrealistic feeling that we so often feel while we are sleeping.
My only note is that Old Bear actually looks like a very young bear, perhaps even like a bear cub. Even his dreams are the makings of a young, carefree bear.
December 4, 2014
"Old Bear" is a fun, explorative book for young children, telling the story of a bear, dreaming about the passing of multiple seasons, including winter, spring, fall, and summer, that leaves the reader questioning how the bear will react when he wakes up -- will he be disappointed in what he sees outside, or ecstatic? What will await his eyes when he awakes?
Unlike some of Henkes other books, such as "Kitten's First Full Moon", or "Birds", which are rather simplistic in illustrations, "Old Bear" seems to be the polar opposite. The colors are flowing, vivid, and bright, some of the most elaborate and colorful illustrations of Henkes. As the seasons progress from fall to winter, and from winter to spring, the colors change, but never falter in their brilliance. One of the most interesting features of this book is that as the color schemes change, such as from the blues of winter to the pinks and purples of spring, the text changes as well, following the illustrations in color.
Overall, this book is a great choice for kids, as it is continually engaging throughout. It can be used to teach colors, since there are a variety of them in the text, as well as seasons. "Old Bear" should be placed on the shelf in every preschool-grade 3!
Unlike some of Henkes other books, such as "Kitten's First Full Moon", or "Birds", which are rather simplistic in illustrations, "Old Bear" seems to be the polar opposite. The colors are flowing, vivid, and bright, some of the most elaborate and colorful illustrations of Henkes. As the seasons progress from fall to winter, and from winter to spring, the colors change, but never falter in their brilliance. One of the most interesting features of this book is that as the color schemes change, such as from the blues of winter to the pinks and purples of spring, the text changes as well, following the illustrations in color.
Overall, this book is a great choice for kids, as it is continually engaging throughout. It can be used to teach colors, since there are a variety of them in the text, as well as seasons. "Old Bear" should be placed on the shelf in every preschool-grade 3!
October 9, 2008
It's interesting to me that Henkes did Lily,Julius et al. in bold bright colors that looked pretty true to life. Now he has turned to real, natural animals, and a style which reminds me of classic children's books from the 40s and 50s--bolder lines and a diminished palette of colors.
The genius of Henkes is that both have worked beautifully.
This book is a treat to read and to look it and I look forward to using it at story hour with the 2s AND with the older children.
The genius of Henkes is that both have worked beautifully.
This book is a treat to read and to look it and I look forward to using it at story hour with the 2s AND with the older children.
May 21, 2014
I admit, I was a little slow to warm up to Kevin Henkes book. Besides "Lilly and the Plastic Purple Purse", and "Kitten Moon" I wasn't very familiar with his books. I didn't like some at first and now...wow! I am a fan! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the illustrations in this book and I love the story! I love the seasons it talks about and the life of the bear! Fun one!
December 19, 2016
Read at preschool story time on 12/5/11: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...
Read at Baby Lap Time on 5/16/13: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...
Read at Baby Lap Time on 5/16/13: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...
January 2, 2015
This would make a great storytime book for toddlers. There is very little text on the page, but the language is still rich and imaginative. I also enjoy the way colour is used to show different seasons.
November 20, 2008
Sweet and very quiet. But my rambunctious grandsons loved it and have asked to read it again and again.
April 27, 2009
gorgeous
March 18, 2010
Hibernating snug in his den, a bear dreams about the changing of the seasons. It's a nicely illustrated tale and a good book to read in the middle of winter.
February 26, 2017
Some of the illustrations are pretty enough to rip out and put on the wall. But I refrained since it was a library book. :)
December 12, 2019
Lovely companion to "Bear Snored On"
July 30, 2023
I'm not exaggerating when I say this is legitimately one of my all time favorite books. Read it, and I'll tell you why.
December 1, 2022
I do love Kevin Henkes books. They are so simple on the surface - nice clear and sweet illustrations with beautiful colors and cute characters. My favorite part is the rich colors in each of the season (and I also love Old Bear's character design - cute ears!). It's an easy text for my story time crowd to follow, and a basic story about a dreaming bear and the seasons he enjoys.
And still a little bit of depth too, for those that want to look at our picture books in a different lens. Bears do indeed love blueberries and salmon in preparation for hibernation. Would have loved to see a Science Tie-In page at the end with real world information about bears and hibernation, but that might be being greedy. Alternately, you can make it really deep with 'the old dreaming about the seasons of their lives', yadda yadda. But in all honesty, it's also an enjoyable simple story of the seasons.
I pull this one out for story times on seasons (or on any specific season), and on bears (it balances my love of grumpy bears like Mother Bruce or Please, Mr. Panda).
And still a little bit of depth too, for those that want to look at our picture books in a different lens. Bears do indeed love blueberries and salmon in preparation for hibernation. Would have loved to see a Science Tie-In page at the end with real world information about bears and hibernation, but that might be being greedy. Alternately, you can make it really deep with 'the old dreaming about the seasons of their lives', yadda yadda. But in all honesty, it's also an enjoyable simple story of the seasons.
I pull this one out for story times on seasons (or on any specific season), and on bears (it balances my love of grumpy bears like Mother Bruce or Please, Mr. Panda).
March 29, 2018
Sometimes a story that is very simple can be brought to life with beautiful illustrations, especially when they are drawn by the author. This way, the book artist can bring their complete vision together in one book. Some of my favorite contemporary illustrations are by Kevin Henkes, who wrote and illustrated, among other books, Old Bear. Old Bear is great for all seasons. The story is very simple. An old bear hibernates and dreams and remembers when he was a young cub, enjoying all the seasons of the wilderness. What makes this book so memorable is the beautiful depictions of the different seasons, and the very very nostalgic, sentimental, subjective, and imaginitive way Old Bear remembers them. In spring, Old Bear blooms with the beautiful flowers. In summer, blueberries rain down from the sky. In fall, everything on the page is the color of fallen leaves. In the winter, you get to gaze out at the beautiful twinkly winter sky with Old Bear as a young cub. A great, beautiful, peaceful picture book! If you love Henkes's bright colorful illustration style and simple stories as much as I do, you might want to check out some of his other books, like A Good Day, My Garden, and Little White Rabbit.
April 9, 2019
Old Bear, is a sweet story of a bear dreaming he was a young bear again living in each season with unrealistic and fantasized what was in the environment with in the bears dream. I loved that the bear dream of his favorite part of each season, it made me the reader feel happy for the bear because you know that the bear is a happy bear since the bear is dreaming of happy things. My favorite part about this book is the illustrations. The way the illustrator emphasized one color on each of the pages that he drew about the seasons really brings out the feelings that people may have when that season is happening. The colors that he paired with the main color was very visually appealing and made this book more fun to read. I would suggest reading this book to kindergarten classroom because it is a book about bears which the students may love hearing, the book has a lot of color in the pictures so the students will be intrigued to look at the pictures, also the book is short enough that the students may be able to sit still long enough to get through the entire book.
July 14, 2020
Another work by Kevin Henkes, another book I love. Just the right bit of whimsical and wonder to stand alone as a simple read aloud, but with a little more of an underlying message to uncover when you stop to consider it all. I like these books as a parent because even when I don’t touch on the deeper message with my kids, it’s like a little treat for me to take away and ponder on my own. This story is about an old bear settling into hibernation for the winter. He dreams of himself as a cub, and all sorts of wonderful, out of this world experiences through each season. The art is what makes it so great, and if you’re interested in seeing a bear sleeping in a giant crocus or staring out into the stars on a snowy night, here you’ll have it. While my kids were busy wondering what it would be like to be in a blueberry rain shower, I was contemplating the inevitable passing of seasons of our life, getting older, and the fondness of those youthful memories that seem as magical as a fruit filled rain storm.
January 12, 2023
While Old Bear sleeps through the winter, he is dreaming through the seasons of the year. This book has beautiful illustrations, and I felt like the idea of the bear dreaming of giant flowers and blueberries raining down from the sky to be very fun. The kids I was reading it too were feeling a bit too hyper to pay close attention, and this one just didn't grab most of them. When I asked them what they thought a bear might dream about at the start of the book, one thought the answer might be "kissing his girlfriend." Sorry kids, it wasn't that type of book. Good for one on one reading, but not quite engaging enough for a group read (at least with that group), despite the lovely illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 370 reviews