Beware!

by Bob Raczka, Larry Day (Illustrator)

A cautionary tale using words made up of only the five letters in the title (B, E, W, A, and R). Can a bear and a bee become friends?Abe and Bree aren't supposed to get along. When they meet, they panic. Abe swats! Bree stings! Now they're both hurt. Together they figure out how to find friendship despite differences and preconceived notions. This rare-bear, wee-bee tale helps to create a web of understanding with unique language and a clever structure.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Friendship, Childrens, Fiction, Juvenile, Storytime

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this story about a bear and a bee that is told using only 5 letters; a, b, e, r and w. Full of humor and cuteness. This would also work for those looking for a new story starter for journal writing or Daily 5's Work on Writing.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the illustrations. The idea is cute. The wording is creative. I just have a little trouble with the reality. Don't bees die when they sting someone? And would bee and bear really become friends after that? Hmm.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raczka tells then entire story only using the five letters in the title. Easy to follow text about a bear and a bee who first fear each other and then become friends.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Meet cute” animal style! Lots of fun as Abe and Bree get to know each other. Also fun - all the words in book come from the letters in the title Beware!

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The clever use of only five letters makes this book a great teaching tool. Somehow the author managed to tell an entire story using only the letters B, E, W, A, and R. The story is a rather simple one, but it still manages to be profound in it's commentary on friendship. Abe, the bear, and Bree, the bee are warned by their respective families to avoid the other. Thus their first encounter is not a positive one. But after Bree realizes how she has hurt Abe, they realize they can be friends despite their families warnings. A sweet story of looking past warnings and stereotypes to open oneself up to friendship. The darling illustrations nicely compliment the minimal text creating a surprisingly effective story.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beware! by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Larry Day. PICTURE BOOK. Charlesbridge, 2019. $16. 9781580896832

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A young bear and a young bee have a first encounter in the meadow. First there is mistrust and fear, but then friendship.

Bob Raczka has tried writing a book just using words written with the letters in the title - B-E-W-A-R-E. Day’s illustrations are the absolute sweetest part of the book - it could have easily been a wordless book instead. What I don’t understand is why they became insta-friends after bee stung the bear. Some idea that hate becomes love? An interesting exercise for the author. It could also be a possible exercise for an older class.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you read this book to children, early on you have a decision to make.

Will you share what's in the Author's Note? Or hint to readers that this book only uses certain letters of the alphabet? Whatever variations on this announcement you give... can make this book extra delightful.

Regarding the happy story itself, as always with Bob Raczka's books... Expect good feelings. This time, feelings are upbeat throughout, as the two main characters, Abe and Bee, become friends.

FIVE STARS, especially suited to a book with a story that's told with only five letters.

[Margaret]

Beware! (Charlesbridge, October 8, 2019) written by Bob Raczka with illustrations by Larry Day

Using only the letters a, b, e, r, and w, a tale is spun about the meeting between a bee and a bear. They both realize it's best to make your own judgments about individuals instead of relying on others' assessments. In a word---delightful.



My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Vilma Diaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute picture book. A bee is warned by their parents to look out for bears. A bear is warned by their parents to look out for bees. And then the two meet. Conflict ensues.

It really was very cute, and the overall message of it being unreasonable that you should fear/hate someone for being different is nice. The art was also nice. And I liked that there were so few words, which would make it an easy book to approach for new readers.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creative use of only five letters: a, b, e, r, and w helps Bob Raczka create a story of changing thoughts between expected enemies. Early readers can have lots of fun checking these words as they read the story where even the title uses only those letters. And it's a new glance at other's perspectives with fun expressions in those lovely watercolor and black outlined illustrations.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author has topped Seuss’s 50 words for Green Eggs and Ham by writing an entire book with only the letters in BEWARE. And it completely works. This would be such a fun read for story time. The illustrations are great and reminiscent of the Bearenstain Bears. This was a lot of fun for a single reader or an entire storytime.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using only the letters in the word "beware," Raczka tells a silly tale of a bear and a bee, and a struggle over some picked posies. Very cute, with adorable illustrations by Larry Day.

[Sophie Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that the illustrations in this book were amazing and very pleasing to look at. The story is very cute and heartwarming, so it was a very enjoyable read overall. I think that this book would be enjoyed by students of various grades but especially the younger kiddos. Definitely recommend this book in the classroom!

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wee bee named Bree, and a rare bear named Abe have been instructed by their parents to avoid one another at all costs for safety's sake. But while out and about Bree and Abe's paths cross, and an unlikely friendship develops.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book with adorable illustrations. Text uses only words using the letter of BEWARE. Clever!

Can lead to some discussion about respecting others and also how bees won't sting if they don't have to.

[Colorado Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you are looking for an educational book, look no further. this book will get you thinking about how to rearrange letters in words to make new ones. get excited about them making their own books possibly using this method.

[Khloe Howie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations that show a lot of action for the young children. Fun story about two different animals that finally stop running away from one another and decide to save their energy and become friends. Fun for the child and parent to read.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so cute! With very few words the author conveys such a sweet story. I can't wait to read this to the kids at story time! With so few words it will be important to read with inflection. A great example of HOW we read making a difference in enjoying what we read.

[Becca Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a young audience. The book is made up of only the letters used to write the word beware and is a cute story about a bear and a bee becoming friends. Would be good to read to a kindergarten class when they are first learning their letters.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this because every word in the book is created from these five letters: a, b, e, r and w. Clever! And I loved the sweet ending. The only thing I was a little iffy about was did the bee lose its stinger? Scientifically, it would have been kaput for the bee in that case.

[Libby Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written with only the letters B, W, A, R, and E, this is a simple story of a little bear and bee becoming friends.
It was memorable for my kids and I’ll come back to it for writing ideas for my 4th grader.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. Abe is a bear and Bree is a bee. Their parents warn them about each other. I felt they became friends in too unlikely of a way, but bonus points for only using the letters in the title.

[Mary Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every word in the book has just the letters A, B, E, R, W...and it still tells a story that makes sense! Clever.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever, fun story that uses only the letters B-E-W-A-R-E for the text.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool Concept!

[Amy Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

:)

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I loved the book, the idea of using only 5 letters throughout the book, how the story was told using those 5 letters, and I love Bob Raczka.

[Christine D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and silly

[Relyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our youngest readers will enjoy this silly book. Perfect for lap reading with a beloved adult.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bear and bee who aren't supposed to be friends meet and discover that they like each other. Expressive watercolor pen and ink illustrations.