Bear Moves

by Ben Bailey Smith

Everyone's favourite purple bear is back and bolder than ever in this laugh-out-loud page turner from Ben Bailey Smith and Sav Akyuz. With funny word play and bold imagery, actor Ben Bailey Smith and artist Sav Akyuz have created a Bear to remember. If there's one thing Bear knows, it's how to move. And when the music starts up, Bear just can't help grooving to the beat - spinning round, belly dancing and even doing the foxtrot. This infectiously rhythmic and hilariously funny sequel to I Am Bear will keep readers in stitches from start to finish.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Animals, Childrens, Humor, Music

40 pages, Hardcover

Published February 7, 2019

About the author

Ben Bailey Smith is a U.K.-based rapper (known as Doc Brown), an actor on the British edition of Law & Order and the British kids’ show 4 O’Clock Club, and a stand-up comedian. Now he adds a new facet to his career: children’s-book author. He lives in London.

Reviews

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear starts dancing in a gay club I've definitely been to, ends by tangoing with "a perfect lady"? What an arc.

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Karhulla on tanssilattialla hurjat oldskool-muuvit.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the rollicking text and the urge to dance it inspired. In that regard it would be fun to use with young children. The illustrations in general were cute and fun. I was not however a fan of the number of occasions in which the bear's bum crack was shown. The bear dressed in a belly dancer's outfit wasn't particularly thrilling either. If those things don't bother you than by all means take a look at this bright, colorful ode to the joys and mishaps of dance.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A braver librarian than I will have great fun with this in Storytime, I'm sure.

[J.L. Slipak · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY THOUGHTS:

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

This picture book is adorable! The big, bold beautifully colored artwork adds perfection to a sweet and fun story. By the time you’re done reading the story, you’ll be hooked on Bear in all his glory… sorry… just couldn’t resist.

The book is 10 x 10 and sits perfectly in the lap of a young reader. The artwork is charming and fun, brightly colored to hold the reader’s attention. Bear is adorable and reminds me of “Bear in the Big Blue House” only this bear is purple. He wears ridiculous clothes and renames break dancing and hip hop names to fit his antics. How can you not love that! So much to love about this book and Bear and his friends.

My daughter just adores this book and snatched it up once I was done with it.

[Aeicha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Ben Bailey Smith and illustrator Sav Akyuz offer readers two hilarious books featuring the greatest purple suit wearing bare bear you’ll ever meet in I Am Bear and Bear Moves! 


Through short, yet clever and laugh out loud rhymes, we are introduced to this truly one of a kind bear, his silly daily antics, and unusual hobbies in I Am Bear. And in Bear Moves this dynamic writing and illustrating team return for a bearry fun dance party. The irresistibly charming Bear break dances, foxtrots, and tangoes his way through the pages of the wildly funny Bear Moves! Smith’s whimsically humorous text will amuse and entertain little readers, while Akyuz’s engaging illustrations, with their bright pops of colors and lively action, will captivate delight. 


With their giggle inducing lyrical text, outrageously fun action, and an adorably unforgettable star, both I Am Bear and Bear Moves are perfect read aloud picture books that little readers will love! 

[Eve Costarelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bear Moves by Ben Bailey Smith; Illustrated by Sav Akyüz
In this rollicking sequel to I Am Bear, Bear Moves' narrative combines strong percussive rhythms with fun, descriptive action words and beautiful, bold, graffiti-esque illustrations to encourage the reader to get up and bust-a-move. I call this the ultimate “Rise-and-Shine” book! Everybody, children and adults alike, will have a good hearty laugh at the word play in this fun, laugh-out-loud, shake-your-tail-feather book.

Thank you to Candlewick Press for sending me this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhyming words, actions to make it interactive, silliness, and homophones... teachers and librarians alike could make this a fun read aloud.

There are some parts, that depending on the age you're reading to, may need to be skipped. Some parts are a little random as well. However, the pictures are vibrant and fun, and the flow of the story is great.

Could be a great book for word choice/phonological awareness as well as vocabulary and background knowledge.

[Gia Bittner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A purple bear demonstrates all kinds of different dance moves like the “running bear,” limbo, and robot. Silly and cute! This would be especially fun if Gia were on her feet and we could practice the moves together with Bear. I’m deducting one star for the depiction of the girl bear who was the main character’s dance partner. She was pink with long lashes and a sultry look on her face - not the most feminist portrayal.
-Mama

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear goes through his dance moves! There is some silly/naughty humor that I'd probably be too shy using in a library storytime (dancing in underwear, haha). But this would be really how in a home setting with a family who had a good sense of humor.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Bring the music," shouts Bear and then Bear brings the moves! Bright, energetic and hilarious, this delightful book should get everyone on the dance floor. Loved it!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Energetic, frenetic fun.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

totally using for my dance party storytime

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read aloud! Highly recommended for ages 2-6.

[Janet Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was hilarious!

[Daphne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi-lar-i-ous! Strong rhythm, excellent dance moves, plus underpants and butt-cracks galore. My inner 9-year-old is howling with laughter!

[Barbara Thorp · Rating 4 out of 5]

If only I'd had a beat going out loud to read this to!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and silly, bear loves to dance.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear has moves!

[Dana Storytime Account · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute book that could be interactive in a story time

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as I was hoping but, if you want to see illustrated dance moves done by a bear in underwear this is the book for you!

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prep for this summers' Reading Buddies

Picture books that rhyme are so much fun!

[Michelle Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Themes: bears, dancing

[Tracy Hager · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly this isn't Kitchen Disco but it's a bit of fun. I tried it for a class visit but I'm not sure it'd do that again with movement!

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations = Great! Story = It just didn't flow well to me. It felt too choppy. Some have said to rap this book, but I tried and it still didn't flow.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you match all of bears dance steps, you too will be pooped! And hungry for doughnuts.

[Joelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

My 6 year old really liked it, but since i have to read it to her, i give it 2 stars because it tries to rhyme but often misses the mark

[Andrés · Rating 3 out of 5]

A silly and vibrant way to be introduced to many styles of dance.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 4 out of 5]

3/12/2021 ~ I remember reading this last summer and thinking that the students in my elementary library would LOVE it. I was not mistaken. I just read it to a virtual kindergarten class and their laughter and movement traveled all the way through the cameras. Such a joy for a Friday afternoon!