Little Bear's Spring

by Elli Woollard, Briony May Smith (Illustrator)

Little Bear's Spring is a glorious reminder for children and adults of just how wonderful the natural world is, and that, sometimes, the unlikeliest of friendships are the best kind. Little Bear has just woken up from his long winter sleep. But when he pokes his head out of the den, the world around him is vast, white and silent. The only thing he sees is a smooth little stone, just as alone in the snowy wilderness as he is. He nestles it in tight to his fur and off they go in search of friends. Little Bear's Spring is a lyrical story about friendship, with a gentle introduction to spring and what happens to the natural world when the seasons change. Written by star picture book author Elli Woollard and illustrated by Briony May Smith, whose artwork brings a sun-dappled springtime landscape to life with breathtaking beauty.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nature, Animals, Friendship

32 pages, Paperback

Published February 21, 2019

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite quite liking the cover I didn't like the style of the illustrations, they are too cute and smiley for my taste but perhaps some children will appreciate them. I found the story lacking and an odd mix of realistic and unrealistic, a bear becomes friends with a newly hatched duckling.

[Ana' · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg mais qu'est-ce que c'est mignon !!!!!!!

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 sterren - Nederlandse hardcover


Als kleine beer wakker wordt is hij helemaal alleen. Hij voelt zich een beetje eenzaam en besluit vrienden te worden met een steen. De steen houdt hem gezelschap en hij praat graag tegen hem. Alle dieren zijn blij want het is het moment dat de lente eraan komt.

Alleen snapt kleine beer niet wat de lente nu precies is. “Het is een magisch moment” zeggen de dieren, alles begint dan weer te groeien en bloeien en er is dan weer volop eten te vinden. Kleine beer vindt de lente maar niks, hij voelt zich maar alleen. Tot hij iets hoort, krrrraaaakkk…..

Kleine beer is een hele vriendelijke en lieve beer die zich erg alleen voelt. Ik had tijdens het lezen van dit verhaal echt wel een beetje te doen met deze kleine beer.

Ondanks dat hij zich prima lijkt te redden en vermaken, blijf ik me tijdens het lezen toch afvragen waar zijn papa en/of mama zouden zijn.

Dit zullen een hoop kinderen zich tijdens het voorlezen ook afvragen. Het antwoord op deze vraag blijft een beetje vaag, wat wel een minpuntje voor het verhaal was.

Je leest toch een boek in de hoop dat alles uiteindelijk op zijn plaats valt, maar dat gebeurde voor ons toch net niet helemaal bij dit verhaal.

Maar het is een verhaal zo fris en hoopgevend als de lente zelf Een betoverend verhaal over een vriendschap die tegelijk met de eerste lentebloemen opbloeit.

[Rianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

49/55 books read in 2020.

So I actually loved the fall picturebook written by Elli Woollard (my review can be found here).
This one, however, is just not it for me.
Yes, the characters are still very cute, the colour palette is pleasant, and the rhyme works, but the story is flat and unrealistic and the illustrations a bit too sweet and cutesy. I never thought I would criticise a children's picture book for being unrealistic, but maaaannn this I just can't read without being annoyed. The little bear finds an egg and instead of eating it (like most bears would) he carries it around on his back until it hatches... yeah no.

So, 3 stars. This would look beautiful on a shelf, but flip through it before buying and know your own ability to suspend your disbelief ;)

[Riley Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book from my mum to celebrate getting my own library card and subscription. We each got to pick a book at the bookstore and this was my pick. I chose this book because I was born this spring. Mummy read the book to me today (I am 6 weeks old today, yay!)

I liked the story and how the little bear found his way to spring with his friend the stone. At one point I felt a little sad for the stone, as the bear wasn’t being very nice. In the end it all turned out alright and all the animals got to enjoy the spring. I loved the art and the beautiful flowers. This was another story that rhymes, which I enjoy a lot, so that was a treat.

The English version is called “Little Bear’s Spring”.

[Ellie L · Rating 4 out of 5]

A joyous poem that tells of the anticipation and arrival of spring. Little Bear seeks company and friendship from the fellow animals in the mountains, but find they have no time to waste with spring just around the corner! Little Bear finds his own way to prepare and makes an unlikely friend along the way.
Little Bear as a character is so fun and inquisitive, and a young animal learning about spring is a lovely concept. I loved the different perspectives from each species, as the bear tries to follow suit and mimic their behaviour. A nice story for thinking about where our knowledge comes from, patterns and cycles.

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awakening Wonder: A Review of Little Bear’s Spring

Little Bear’s Spring is a gentle celebration of friendship, hope, and the quiet magic of nature waking after winter. Elli Woollard’s warm, rhythmic text takes us into the world of a small, sleepy bear emerging into a forest that seems still wrapped in snow and silence.

Little Bear longs to share the beauty he sees, but feels lonely and out of place. As he wanders, he meets other woodland creatures, each encounter threaded with kindness, curiosity, and a growing sense of wonder.

What makes this story truly shine are Briony May Smith’s illustrations. Each page feels like a soft dawn: pale greens, melting snow, shy blossoms, and sleepy animals blinking at the new season. Her art captures the moment winter breathes out and spring quietly arrives.

At its heart, Little Bear’s Spring is about seeing hope even before it blooms, and believing in gentle changes yet to come. It’s a comforting story for little readers - and anyone who’s ever waited for something wonderful to appear.

[Dave Farrance · Rating 4 out of 5]

CT Story Time 30/04/22

An adorable tale of a little bear who wakes up as Winter thaws and becomes Spring. The bear travels along with a small stone it finds, trying to discover what Spring is. He wants to play with all the other animals but they’re all too busy getting into the joys of Spring as the season begins. It is just bear and his atone until he is treated to a pleasant surprise at the end.

Written in a rhyming style.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stunning illustrations of ‘Little Bears Spring’ drew me to pull this book from the library’s shelves, and they didn’t disappoint as a young bear’s search for a friend within the forests is vibrantly painted across each page.
Written in rhyme, the story itself was pleasant enough but unfortunately the rhyming didn’t flow well and the ending felt quite flat.

[Bethany Sawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Little Goose’s Autumn, this was no exception. The beautiful, rich illustrations are my favourite parts but the words are lyrical and beautiful in their own right, full of rhythm and rhyme. I particularly liked the explanations of spring and the character of the little bear cub.

[Bistra Ivanova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Briony May Smith is probably one of my favourite contemporary artists, so I am always happy to read her books! This one, however, was not her best in terms of a story. The artwork was lovely as usual!

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, beautifully illustrated. Talks about spring which is my favourite season, celebrating all the beautiful things that happen during this time, like new life.

[miha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zelo luštna - sem si jo kupil da bi kopiral njeno tehniko risbe in barvanja - res dela krasne stvari.

[Natalia C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and a sweet story. Loved reading this to my bilingual toddler and looking forward to continuing to read it again and again. Just a lovely book!