Roly Poly the polar bear gets a little brother he did not ask for, in this charming story about sibling rivalry and the bonds of family from the beloved picture book creators of Time for Bed , Mem Fox and Jane Dyer.
Roly Poly the polar bear loves being an only child. His bed is only his. The fish he catches are only his. And he doesn’t have to share his toy walrus tooth with anyone. But then along comes baby Monty. Roly Poly did not ask for a little brother and he certainly does not want one now! What is Roly Poly to do when Monty starts making him share his bed and fish and walrus tooth?
Merrion Frances Fox is an Australian writer of children's books and an educationalist specialising in literacy. Fox has been semi-retired since 1996, but she still gives seminars and lives in Adelaide, South Australia.
Roly Poly is a story about sibling rivalry featuring photographs of adorable hand-crafted polar bears.
While I wish the ending had been a little stronger, I think the rest of the book is enough to carry the weight and make this an enjoyable read. The writing is fairly strong, with elements of repetition to reinforce the character development and interactions.
The pictures, however, are one of the best parts of the book. A note at the beginning explains how they were done. There's also a cute meta touch on Roly Poly's nightstand, where you can see a previous book that the author and illustrator worked on together.
This book is a must for people who like stories illustrated with photographs. It's also a sweet story about sibling rivalry. I would definitely recommend it.
Read this for the illustrations. The story itself is rather short shrift, and there are better stories out there about sibling rivalry. Sure, he "leapt into the icy sea" but it NEVER says that he saved his little brother (heh heh).... Roly Poly could have shoved that burg on out of there! Or tipped it over! Or given it to a passing whale, if you know what I'm saying. (My humor is a bit dark today.)
Yes, it's implied that he saved him (lazy, imho), and then the story RUSHES to the happily ever after conclusion (sloppy, imho), yes, I know, mostly, which didn't feel real.
Who could resist the adorable illustrations in Roly Poly? This picture book sent to me by Beach Lane Books is about a young polar bear who didn't ask for a little brother and doesn't want Monty, the new baby, to join his family. The pictures by Jane Dyer are done in a diorama-like style using three-dimensional figures created with wool from author Mem Fox's own sheep! Even at his grumpiest, little Roly Poly just makes me want to snuggle him (and Monty, too!) This story is resonating a lot with my family right now, as my four-year-old is struggling to get used to the idea of welcoming twins when she feels she already has "too many sisters." (We never find out the gender of our babies, but she seems pretty convinced we will only ever have girls.) I could tell that reading this aloud to her helped to validate her feelings, but also gave her the sense that maybe welcoming new babies won't be so bad, and that she might be able to really help care for them.
There are a lot of books out there for kids who are soon to become older siblings, but between the unique illustrations and Mem Fox's signature storytelling style, it's worth making room for one more. It's also worth noting that this book involves a big brother and a new little brother, which obviously doesn't mirror the make-up of my family, but which might be a bonus for the expectant boy moms out there!
What a cute story! Roly Poly is living a terrific life with his mom and dad. He has everything he has ever wanted. Then, one day a stranger appears in his bed and now, this stranger invades his space ALL THE TIME!
I liked how innocent Roly Poly’s little brother Monty was. He followed Roly Poly around, it seemed as though, Monty just wanted to be with his big brother. Roly Poly didn’t see it that way though and he was rather annoyed, until one day Monty needed his help. Roly Poly tried to ignore Monty’s again (like he’d been doing) but he just couldn’t and well, the ending is really sweet.
It’s a delightful book and I think most kids will really like it and I think it’s a great book for families. I did wonder about why little Monty was sharing a bed with Roly Poly. Would older children question this same thing (cribs, beds, etc.)? Then again, all families do some things differently and perhaps this is just something this family does.
The illustrations were fun and I enjoyed looking at all the details that were put into some of them. The text is bold and easy to read. Would make a good read aloud.
Cute illustrations but don't love how it just ends. Needed one or two more pages, or at least one more picture on the last page of Roly with his brother.
Roly Poly lives very happily with his mother and father. Everything he has is his and his alone. Until one day a little brother arrives and everything changes.
With text by the magnificent Mem Fox and illustrations by the fabulous Jane Dyer, this book is an ideal book to share with children faced with a bit of sibling rivalry.
Roly Poly isn't happy to gain a sibling. He doesn't like sharing his things or his parents attention. But when Baby Monty comes along that is exactly what he has to start doing. Roly Poly takes his resentment out on his little brother, treating him unkindly and storming off whenever his brother wants to be involved in what he is doing. Only when he is faced with possible losing his brother does Roly Poly change his attitude. A pretty straightforward story of sibling rivalry that takes place at the North Pole, Roly Poly is a cute enough story but doesn't really stand out as much as I would have expected a Mem Fox story to, not until you look at the illustrations. The dioramas created by Dyer with the wool and wire made bears are quite cute and I especially enjoyed the details in Roly Poly's room.
Roly Poly by Mem Fox and Jane Dyer, PICTURE BOOK Beach Lane Books, (Simon and Schuster), 2019. $18. 9781481445566
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL - HIGH
Roly Poly is a little polar bear who is an only child. He loves it - everything he has is just his, until one day he wakes up to find a little brother, Monty, sharing his bed. Roly Poly is unhappy - he repeats "I never asked for a little brother, and I don't want one now" But Monty tumbles on the rug with him, follows Roly Poly to the fishing hole and is, well, a little brother. But when Monty gets in real trouble, it's up to Roly Poly to decide what to do.
Ahhhh! Needle Felted illustrations! I love the look of this book so much, the bears are absolutely adorable! Mem Fox's story is sweet - but the ending is a bit troublesome - it just ends, I guess it leaves space for some discussion about welcoming new siblings the right way. Repeated phrases make it a great read aloud.
Roly Poly likes being an only child and completely ignores his new little brother. The book carries this theme a little too far before something happens and Roly Poly has to save Monty. From that time, they played together. The message about siblings is needed but the story felt flat. The wording was simple and repetitive for younger readers.
Adorable creation by Jane Dyer (one of my favorite illustrators - she did the "Cookies" series of picture books with Amy Krouse Rosenthal) and Mem Fox (legendary author).
Roly Poly doesn't want a little brother. Little brother arrives at about a three year old level - as he can climb on Roly Poly and talk and generally annoy. :) It all turns out well in the end. Felted wool is beautiful.
Roly Poly is an only child and he thinks that is just fine. Everything - his parents, his bed, his favorite walrus tooth - are all his and his alone. Until one morning when Roly Poly wakes up to a little stranger in his bed. It's his new little brother and Roly Poly isn't very happy about it, telling his mom: "But I never asked for a little brother and I don't want one now." Monty keeps trying to play with Roly Poly, who just walks away or pretends he isn't there, repeating what he told his mom. When Monty takes his favorite walrus tooth, and then the fish Roly Poly has just caught, he's had enough and tells Monty to get lost just as the ice beneath his little brother begins to crack and drift away. Pretending not to hear Monty's cries for help, Roly Poly finally gives in, diving into the icy water and swimming out to the ice floe to save his little brother. From then on. Roly Poly and Monty "...lived happily ever after. Well...mostly." Told in spare text, Mem Fox has really captured the feelings and common reaction of an only child getting a younger sibling and suddenly having to share everything. It's really a simple enough story, with lots of white space for young readers to muse on their own experience of getting a new sibling. The illustrations are simply charming. The polar bear family is made of felted wool, and place in scenes giving the story a real 3-D feeling. Did my young readers like Roly Poly's story? Well, yes, but most of them are not first borns, so they related more to Monty and had their own stories to tell about being the Monty in their family (for the record, I'm a Monty, too).
Roly Poly is an only child who doesn't have to share his bed or his fish or his toys and that's just how he'd love it to stay. But then he is surprised with a baby brother, Monty, whom he must share his bed with. Roly Poly never wanted a little brother and he certainly doesn't want one that crawls all over him and steals his fish or his favorite walrus tooth toy. Determined to ignore his little brother, Roly Poly doesn't notice when Monty gets himself into some very big trouble. And then he just flat out ignores Monty's cries for help, reminding himself that he never wanted a brother anyway. But Roly Poly has a change of heart and eventually does the right thing, creating a lifelong bond of friendship.
Roly Poly is a cute story about a bear who finds himself with an annoying little brother that he just can't get along with. Everything his little brother does makes him angry and Roly Poly has no intention of getting along. This is a great example of sibling rivalry and would be a fun read-aloud for any siblings!
The images in this picture book are quite unique! The polar bears pictured are handcrafted by a process called needle-felting. The felted bears are then arranged and photographed, giving us our story! I can imagine this crafting took a great deal of time so I'm extra impressed by the visuals in this story!
This picture book review was originally shared on my book blog, Lazy Day Literature.
Roly Poly is not thrilled in the least to have a baby brother. His things were “his, and his alone,” Fox tells us in pleasing repetition. And his protests at Monte’s appearance will also employ repetition until you wonder if Roly Poly will ever change his tune. It might become a bit perilous for a few long moments there—maybe.
The felted bears are adorable and I was entranced by all the miniature. I might have made a happy sound when I spotted a tiny copy of Time for Bed (by Mem Fox) on Roly Poly’s bedside table!! Dyer includes all the nice touches.
A nice touch in the book is how it doesn’t judge Roly Poly for his feelings. It is true he didn’t ask for the baby brother and Mother doesn’t try to argue or placate: she simply says, “I know, but we think you will adore him.” This prediction reads like a challenge in the following pages, because Roly Poly does not feel adoration…
There are other opportunities for humor. I laughed out loud at how Roly Poly discovers he has a baby brother…and his exclamation. Hilarious. But also, what a way to announce a sibling arrival, parents. Roly Poly isn’t given space; Monte is everywhere…until some space does open up.
Mem Fox is a masterful storyteller, particularly for the young. And Dyer brings a worthy level of charm in her illustrations. From opening page to the image on the rear cover, Roly Poly is a funny and relatable new eldest sibling. He’ll come around—a good lesson for a new sibling, and their parents.
This hilarious and adorable picture book is definitely a new favorite!
Roly Poly wakes up one morning to discover that he has a new baby brother. He doesn't like his baby brother at all - he's annoying, he gets in his way, and he steals his stuff. He never wanted a brother, and now he's stuck for life! It's only when he almost loses him that he realizes maybe he isn't so bad after all.
I loved this book for a multitude of reasons. It reminded me of my sons 100%. My 5 year old does NOT like his 1 year old brother. He hates when he takes his toys and he wants us to get rid of him. To say this book is relatable is an understatement. It's also SO funny and completely clever.
The second thing that I love about this book is its medium. The characters are needle felted, posed, and photographed. This is so unique and absolutely adorable.
10/10 would recommend this one for any kid that has a sibling.
Roly Poly is a little polar bear who is an only child. He loves it - everything he has is just his, until one day he wakes up to find a little brother, Monty, sharing his bed. Roly Poly is unhappy - he repeats "I never asked for a little brother, and I don't want one now" But Monty tumbles on the rug with him, follows Roly Poly to the fishing hole and is, well, a little brother. But when Monty gets in real trouble, it's up to Roly Poly to decide what to do.
Ahhhh! Needle Felted illustrations! I love the look of this book so much, the bears are absolutely adorable! Mem Fox's story is sweet - but the ending is a bit troublesome - it just ends, I guess it leaves space for some discussion about welcoming new siblings the right way. Repeated phrases make it a great read aloud.
Grade Level 1-3 Mem Fox wrote about a polar bear who has to get use to change and welcome a new sibling and his struggle of doing so. Roly Poly enjoyed his life and how he was spoiled. He no responsibilities but looking out for himself. The problem arrives when Monty, his new baby brother, arrives. Roly admittedly isolate himself and shunning Monty. Yet Monty is looking for guidance and friendship from Roly. I think it was interesting how long it took for Roly to give Monty the time of day. I'm glad it was Roly's choice to engage. Just like in real life if you don't cherish people they can slowly drift away from you and that relationship could be lost forever. The illustration by Jane Dyer are photos and the props and character are made out of real life materials which defiantly makes the texture pops.
The story is sweet and harsh. It is primarily about one polar bear cub's feelings about having a new baby polar bear cub brother. Ideally we would want our children to be enormously in-love with a new sibling so if you are afraid that this book will plant a seed of dissent then don't bother. Otherwise, this book might help to assuage normal feelings of resenting having to share things, space, and love but will soon realize he/ she will not have less but even more! OK NOW ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATIONS - There are no illustrations in the classical sense. The world of miniatures has been photographed and placed on the page. The animated miniatures are phenomenally adorable and intellectually detailed. - simply gorgeous!
I have a couple bones to pick with this story...The parents, without preparing/talking to Roly Poly, plopped the new brother into Roly Poly's bed and then never once intervened in their squabbles to support either child with the transition. The baby wants to play but Roly Poly is annoyed with him the whole book. Then the baby brother ends up floating away on an ice berg screaming for help, Roly Poly ignores him until it's VERY clear he needs help, and then he finally goes to get him. It would be better if there was more in the story about repairing/building a positive relationship, but overall, not a good model for new siblings and not a good way for parents to introduce a new baby into the family.
New sibling tales are nothing new but when Monty appears on Roly Poly's erstwhile solo scene, things couldn't get more dire, or cuter! This gorgeous polar bear family was hand crafted by artist Jane Dyer and the 3D polar effect is stunning. Despite their wooly genesis, Roly and his family are white, whimsical and utterly convincing as creatures of the ice floes. This is a visual feast and a gentle tale that will appeal to young and old although it does wind up rather abruptly and too easily. Despite the weak ending, Fox's doctrine of instilling sound reading habits is displayed in her use of repeated phraseology. A delightful read aloud to share.
Every kid can relate to the mixture of emotions when a new brother or sister joins the family. I sure can. There is video of me, banging my head against the hospital wall, when my parents are trying to introduce me to my brother.....and all I want to talk about is burger, fry, and pickle.
What is the most unique is the illustrations: "the polar bears were made with needle felting, which is a process of stabbing wool with a barbed needle in order to change the density of the fibers." Then everything was photographed by Jeanne Birdsall! So cool!
I mostly checked this out because of the needle-felting, and probably my love for the shade of teal that makes up the title. I didn't read the flap at all and just figured it'd be a cute little day in the life of a felted polar bear family.
As a child-free only child, I can't say I cared at all about the new baby/jealousy story line. It appears that the baby was adopted since he appeared out of nowhere one day and could already talk, so that's nice. It all felt a bit weird though.
3rd star for the needle-felting, little woven rugs, teal color scheme, and paper snowflake endpapers.
Roly Poly is happy being an only child, so when a little brother shows up Roly Poly isn't very happy. Monty wants to play with him and his toys, and Roly Poly is having none of it, that is until he almost loses Monty.
Well, I'm glad Roly Poly learns his lesson. He isn't very pleasant most of the book. Though it is understandable, and I know there are definitely kids who go through this stage of not wanting a sibling. The story was only 2 stars for me. I added a star for the illustration style which must have taken quite a bit of time to do.
Roly Poly did not ask for, nor does he want, a little brother. So when he gets one, he reminds his baby brother all the time that he's an independent bear. Until an unfortunate accident brings them closer together. These illustrations are darling, and so is this familiar story about new siblings. Little felted bears go through the motions, with sometimes panel-like illustrations showing the progression of one scene. Very cool photographic style.
Accepting a new sibling into the family can be tough, especially if you've been an only child for a long time. Roly Poly was used to having his parents and his home to himself. But one day, there was Monty, and he seemed to be everywhere. Roly Poly was certain that he didn't want to have this new brother, until suddenly Monty needed his help. This is a sweet picture book and would be great to share with young children with new siblings in the family.
Cute story and I think it's a good story to read to kids when they are getting a younger sibling, or even when they are not adjusting to having one. It was simple and sweet with simple easy text. I think my favorite part of this book was the pictures though. I love how real scenes were made in I'm assuming miniature in order to capture the various scenes of the story. This is one I would recommend to others.