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Old Bear and Friends
Little Bears Trousers
While looking for his missing trousers, Little Bear discovers that the other toy animals have found many different uses for them.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1987
399 people want to read
About the author
Jane Hissey
124 books70 followersRecognized in both publishing and TV, Jane Hissey is best known for her children’s book series Old Bear & Friends. First published in 1986, it later became the inspiration for BAFTA award winning TV series Old Bear Stories.
As a child growing up in Norfolk, Jane developed a love for writing and drawing. Her holidays were spent wandering fields and lanes, conjuring up fantastical worlds with pencil and sketchbook. When she wasn’t doing this she would spend days at a time sitting in her favorite tree, reading the likes of Arthur Ransome and Enid Blyton.
Jane continued to nurture her passion through adulthood and studied illustration and design, later becoming an Art teacher and settling down with her husband Ivan and their 3 children Owen, Alison & Ralph. Inspired by a childhood teddy bear given to her by her grandmother, Jane has written and illustrated more than 20 picture books featuring Old Bear.
Her tales of adventure and discovery are both heartwarming and fun, captivating the imaginations of children and adults alike. Her illustrations are unique, using layers of colour pencil to build a more full & finely detailed finished image.
The Old Bear & Friends series has sold more than 7 million copies worldwide!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
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May 1, 2012Little Bear’s Trousers by Jane Hissey
One morning, Little Bear wakes to find his trousers missing, so he goes from one stuffed-animal friend to another in search of them. Each time, he's one step behind, finding that his trousers has been used and passed along to different toys. Sailor tried them as sails for his boat, Rabbit as a hat etc. Finally, Little Bear finds his trousers from Bramwell Brown, who has converted them to an icing bag to decorate the cake he's baked. All share the cake in celebration of the trousers' return. This is a playful extension of the imaginative game of taking an object and finding various uses for it. It's an idea that works better visually than it does in words, and the pictures used in the book are both very visual and beautiful. Those are real toys on the page but at the same time they look quite capable of moving and talking. It's just the visual representation of the life that small children can breathe into their toys and it appeals to their imagination. The illustrations are the strength of the book; the text repeats information found in them. I would recommend using this book in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage One as it has that toy like appeal for the children. But children of Key Stage Two are capable if reading it. I even had one child in my last placement who gave it to me every day during reading cause he found out it was my favourite book. But I also learned the appeal for him was in the images rather than the text as the pictures do seem like they come alive.
The book can be used in a discussion of what can we reuse either at home or in school and possibly look at recycling as a topic. I’m sure a great D&T lesson would follow where children can find one item to reuse as something else!!
One morning, Little Bear wakes to find his trousers missing, so he goes from one stuffed-animal friend to another in search of them. Each time, he's one step behind, finding that his trousers has been used and passed along to different toys. Sailor tried them as sails for his boat, Rabbit as a hat etc. Finally, Little Bear finds his trousers from Bramwell Brown, who has converted them to an icing bag to decorate the cake he's baked. All share the cake in celebration of the trousers' return. This is a playful extension of the imaginative game of taking an object and finding various uses for it. It's an idea that works better visually than it does in words, and the pictures used in the book are both very visual and beautiful. Those are real toys on the page but at the same time they look quite capable of moving and talking. It's just the visual representation of the life that small children can breathe into their toys and it appeals to their imagination. The illustrations are the strength of the book; the text repeats information found in them. I would recommend using this book in the Foundation Stage and Key Stage One as it has that toy like appeal for the children. But children of Key Stage Two are capable if reading it. I even had one child in my last placement who gave it to me every day during reading cause he found out it was my favourite book. But I also learned the appeal for him was in the images rather than the text as the pictures do seem like they come alive.
The book can be used in a discussion of what can we reuse either at home or in school and possibly look at recycling as a topic. I’m sure a great D&T lesson would follow where children can find one item to reuse as something else!!
July 5, 2022
It had been awhile, a long while, since I'd read this lovely story, and then ...
My daughter called me, "Mum, someone asked me what my favourite cake was and when I told them 'Trouser's Day Cake' they looked at me oddly. So I googled 'trousers day cake' and nothing came up. Then I realised that was a family cake name!"
I laughed. Yes, it was. Inspired by Jane Hissey's lovely story about Little Bear's trousers which got lost and then found and then inspired a cake, a lovely sponge cake, layered with jam and iced with white frosting and little pink trousers called a 'trousers day cake'.
This story became a beloved story to our family, and I have made many trouser day cakes since, as it has become a favourite cake to have with tea.
That's the thing about Jane Hissey's adorable stories about a group of nursery toys. Her illustrations take me right back to my own childhood nursery, and inspired the rooms I created for my children. They are the stories of just what you imagine your toys might do if they came to life.
My daughter called me, "Mum, someone asked me what my favourite cake was and when I told them 'Trouser's Day Cake' they looked at me oddly. So I googled 'trousers day cake' and nothing came up. Then I realised that was a family cake name!"
I laughed. Yes, it was. Inspired by Jane Hissey's lovely story about Little Bear's trousers which got lost and then found and then inspired a cake, a lovely sponge cake, layered with jam and iced with white frosting and little pink trousers called a 'trousers day cake'.
This story became a beloved story to our family, and I have made many trouser day cakes since, as it has become a favourite cake to have with tea.
That's the thing about Jane Hissey's adorable stories about a group of nursery toys. Her illustrations take me right back to my own childhood nursery, and inspired the rooms I created for my children. They are the stories of just what you imagine your toys might do if they came to life.
November 16, 2021
I just loved this book as a child. I remember going into the home library and sneaking the book onto my shelf because I loved the pictures and the story. I've always loved the idea of toys having a life of their own (in a very sweet way, not a Chucky way).
October 17, 2019
A lovely little story which tells the journey of a little bear who has lost his trousers. He goes to all the other toys in the house to find where the trousers have gone, each animal he speaks to tells him they have used them but given them away! Until he finds his trousers with Bramwell Brown who was using his trousers as a piping bag to ice a delicious cake! All the animals apologise to Little Bear and they are all happy again. Little Bear vows to always sleep with his trousers under his pillow from now on!
January 8, 2019
This came in through the book drop at the library the same time I was returning the first book in this series I had read, Old Bear. So I quickly checked this one out. It was also quite delightful!
Poor Little Bear can't find his trousers. They get used by everyone for different things (I especially liked Dog using them as two-bone bone-holders!) but everyone is apologetic and sensitive to the fact that Little Bear just wants his trousers back! I loved that on the text pages, there is an illustration of the toy using the trousers in a creative way and then the main illustration is of Little Bear and the toy doing what they were trying to do without needing the trousers. I like how everyone helps him find them, and then there is celebratory cake. I wish that I got cake every time I found something I'd lost (I would have a LOT of cake by now). I also adored the illustration of Little Bear hugging his trousers, not wanting anyone to mistake them for something and walk off with them again.
Such an adorable book!
Poor Little Bear can't find his trousers. They get used by everyone for different things (I especially liked Dog using them as two-bone bone-holders!) but everyone is apologetic and sensitive to the fact that Little Bear just wants his trousers back! I loved that on the text pages, there is an illustration of the toy using the trousers in a creative way and then the main illustration is of Little Bear and the toy doing what they were trying to do without needing the trousers. I like how everyone helps him find them, and then there is celebratory cake. I wish that I got cake every time I found something I'd lost (I would have a LOT of cake by now). I also adored the illustration of Little Bear hugging his trousers, not wanting anyone to mistake them for something and walk off with them again.
Such an adorable book!
September 28, 2015
A wonderful read from my childhood, one I’d certainly suggest for other youngsters. Whilst it is not my all-time favourite childhood read I can still recall all the details of this one meaning it certainly left a lasting impression upon my young mind.
And isn’t that what we want with children’s books, for them to leave a positive lasting impression?
And isn’t that what we want with children’s books, for them to leave a positive lasting impression?
August 26, 2020
Little bear has lost his trousers so he asks his friends where they are. In turn, each friend has had his trousers and used them for various and imaginative ways. The trousers were used a bunny ear warmers (Rabbit), or a bag to carry bricks (Duck), or a sail (Sailor) or as a Piping Bag (Bramwell Brown). This book was funny and made us laugh.
March 31, 2018
This cute story had my boys searching for the trousers on each page and predicting where they possibly could end up next. And the ending of sharing cake? A perfect celebration in the mind of my 2 year old, who wants a candle on any dessert that passes our way!
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November 6, 2020This is an adorable tale of Little Bear's search for his lost trousers. The reader's mind is enlightened by the creativity of the animal friends. Jane Hissey has masterfully written and illustrated a narrative that causes her readers to delight as well as ponder.
November 18, 2018
I loved this one growing up :)
February 2, 2019
I love these illustrations. I grew up with a copy of Old Bear and was excited to find there were more books!
March 11, 2019
Adorable and hilarious
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February 28, 2022A cute story with great illustrations. A quick and fun read
April 26, 2023
one of my fave books as a kid. read it with all 3 of my nephews 🥰
January 27, 2024
So cute
January 4, 2026
Little Bear loses his trousers and goes on a hunt to find them
August 11, 2024
Note To Self: Sweet childhood reread 🧸🙂
September 21, 2012
I was lucky enough to win a copy of Little Bear's Trousers in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.
Little Bear's Trousers is a part of Jane Hissey's Old Bear series, but unlike Old Bear itself, I had no memory of the story, despite it being a certainty that I must have read it when I was a small child. Reminding myself of this sweet little story for children was an enjoyable experience; Trouser Day is enough to delight any small child! The book itself features, as usual, Jane Hissey's beautiful original drawings, which truly are astounding - they are that detailed that you could sometimes mistake them for photographs! So much time and effort has been put into something beautiful that has delighted children and captured their imaginations for generations, and this new publication will ensure that Old Bear and friends do the same for many generations to come.
After enjoying this nostalgic trip down memory lane, I shall be passing this copy of Little Bear's Trousers on to the next generation- specifically to my friend's small children for them to grow up with!
Little Bear's Trousers is a part of Jane Hissey's Old Bear series, but unlike Old Bear itself, I had no memory of the story, despite it being a certainty that I must have read it when I was a small child. Reminding myself of this sweet little story for children was an enjoyable experience; Trouser Day is enough to delight any small child! The book itself features, as usual, Jane Hissey's beautiful original drawings, which truly are astounding - they are that detailed that you could sometimes mistake them for photographs! So much time and effort has been put into something beautiful that has delighted children and captured their imaginations for generations, and this new publication will ensure that Old Bear and friends do the same for many generations to come.
After enjoying this nostalgic trip down memory lane, I shall be passing this copy of Little Bear's Trousers on to the next generation- specifically to my friend's small children for them to grow up with!
September 24, 2012
What a lovely children's book, my 3yr old and almost 2yr old (who never sit still) sat on my lap through the book.
The drawings are lovely,and the story is original. I have to admit when iv'e had a hard day I do sometimes rush through the kids bedtime story, not with this, I love it as much as my kids do.
To win a signed copy was fantastic, shame that royal mail didn't take enough care, book arrived slightly ripped.
That aside this book will be treasured and I will be looking out for more from this author.
The drawings are lovely,and the story is original. I have to admit when iv'e had a hard day I do sometimes rush through the kids bedtime story, not with this, I love it as much as my kids do.
To win a signed copy was fantastic, shame that royal mail didn't take enough care, book arrived slightly ripped.
That aside this book will be treasured and I will be looking out for more from this author.
April 25, 2016
This is a sweet little book, which is about a little bear who has lost his trousers. Although they were not lost, they were borrowed by his friends and were used for many different purposes. This book has fantastic illustrations, which use many icons with realistic colours. The sentences contain a variety of simple and compound text with varying sentence length.
This book would be ideal to read to young children, but I wouldn't not imagine the majority of five year old would be able to read this for themselves, due to the small sized text and sentence length.
This book would be ideal to read to young children, but I wouldn't not imagine the majority of five year old would be able to read this for themselves, due to the small sized text and sentence length.
October 17, 2011
This story is about a little bear who can't find his trousers. He goes to all his friends and asks them if they saw them. They all did and had used them to help with something they needed to do. He finally found them in the kitchen being used as a frosting bag. We practiced making a picture in our head while reading this book. It was easy because the illustrations were good and helped put that picture in our head.
September 23, 2012
Excellent childrens book, well written lovely pictures. I read this to my two nieces when they were little and I gave these to my niece for her 4 children she is reading it to them at night and they all love it. Charlie, the oldest (10) is enjoying listening to his 2 lttle sisters, Kathleen (18 months) and even Alice (4 months) and his little brother Jim (3)as they giggle and chatter as their mother reads it to them, and shows them the pictures.
September 21, 2012
Luckily I won this from a Goodreads giveaway. Many thanks to Jane Hissey for signing it. My little girl is so delighted.
Little Bear loses his little red trousers and we follow him on his quest to find them. Always a step behind its fun to see what his friends have tried using his trousers for.
Its a very cute book and well illustrated.
I think this will be a bed-time story for a long time to come.
Thanks GoodReads xx
Little Bear loses his little red trousers and we follow him on his quest to find them. Always a step behind its fun to see what his friends have tried using his trousers for.
Its a very cute book and well illustrated.
I think this will be a bed-time story for a long time to come.
Thanks GoodReads xx
January 4, 2016
This is the second in a series of stories about Old Bear and his friends. They can be read in sequence or randomly.
The copy I own is smaller than your average children's book, but the illustrations and tone of the writing more than make up for it. The characters are delightful, an array of your typical toy box!
Ideal for pre schoolers; I read this to my three month old son - although I must admit, partly for my own nostalgic purposes!
The copy I own is smaller than your average children's book, but the illustrations and tone of the writing more than make up for it. The characters are delightful, an array of your typical toy box!
Ideal for pre schoolers; I read this to my three month old son - although I must admit, partly for my own nostalgic purposes!
August 23, 2010
We really liked this book! Found at the library last week and it's just the sort of book a toddler loves. How Little Bear has to keep hunting down these poor pants and the hilarious uses the other animals come up with for them. We'll read this again and I'm going to buy a copy because I'd like to have this here whenever she feels like reading it.
September 10, 2011
I loved this book as a kid. I like all the animals in the story and I think kids would enjoy that aspect of it as well. It would be fun to read it to your students and then maybe ask them what they would do with Little Bear's trousers if they found him, or how they would feel if they lost something important to them. It's a good book for questioning and engaging children.
January 21, 2016
I love this book. The pictures are so charming, Little Bear's frustration is so pathetically cute, and his friends are so ridiculously unable to recognize trousers. It's fun to read. I'm told my personal reading of the story makes it ten times better, so if you don't love it... you're probably just not reading it right.
December 19, 2019
A classic from Daddy's childhood. A cute tale of lost trousers. I love that they're called trousers- lends it some whimsicality. You really feel for poor Little Bear throughout the book, and you empathize with characters you meet along the way. The illustrations are beautiful, if not yet captivating for a 6-month-old.
July 18, 2008
This story was actually in a compilation book called Jane Hissey's Old Bear Stories. I thought it was just so-so, but it kept my five year old son's interest and he asked lots of questions about the stories so I gave it three stars instead of two.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews