Over, Bear! Under, Where?

by Julie Hedlund, Michael Slack (Illustrator)

A hilariously clever story of wordplay and unexpected friendship, perfect for fans of 7 Ate 9 and Eats, Shoots, and Leaves .

Over and Under are two friends, and they're enjoying a day at the park. They go on the swings (Over goes over Under) and the seesaw (Under is under Over). They meet a hot-dog dog (who joins them for a hot dog). And then they spot . . . a bear! (Unbearable!) But is he really the overall scary creature they first understand him to be?

In this hilariously punny story that will have readers laughing out loud as they pick apart the wordplay, a pair of pals overcome their fears as they discover that friendship underpins all.

Praise for Over, Bear! Under, Where?

"I adore this book. Am Over Come with emotion . . . er laughter. It's Jeff Mack on steroids, and every English teacher from kindergarten up to college needs to have it. THAT good." -- Jane Yolen , bestselling and award-winning author of How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?

"The absurdity of the premise, which swings around to fit the wordplay, will elicit laughs, while the wordplay will entertain and challenge younger readers." -- BCCB

"A whimsical 'Who’s on First'–like picture book . . . that earns its giggles." -- Publishers Weekly

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Friendship, Kids

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2021

About the author

Julie Hedlund is an award-winning children's book author. Her latest book is OVER, BEAR! UNDER, WHERE? (Philomel, 2021). SONG AFTER SONG: THE MUSICAL LIFE OF JULIE ANDREWS (Little Bee Books, 2023) releases September 5, 2023. She is also the author of, MY LOVE FOR YOU IS THE SUN, and A TROOP IS A GROUP OF MONKEYS. reading, writing, or traveling, Julie is busy writing more books and visiting with the kids who read them at schools and libraries.

Reviews

[Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title of this book appealed to me so I downloaded a review copy. It's a cute, whimsical book that introduces beginning readers to the concept of compound words. While it's definitely not appropriate for the toddler age I teach, it would be perfect for 4, 5,6, and 7 year olds. It also gently teaches lessons about not judging others and making friendships. Cute artwork, some whimsy, and an easy introduction to compound words make this a good book for your home or school library.

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 5 out of 5]

With bright and adorable illustrations, this play time in the park becomes so much more than a fun word play. Not only will beginning and pre-readers learn vocabulary and how to make compound words, but they will also find the heart of the story--discriminating against someone because of their looks is hurtful and possibly a missed chance at a new friendship.

[Mindy Alyse Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, fun, fun! Sparse text with wordplay that should turn children into compound word detectives…and will hopefully inspire them to come up with even more words to put together. There’s a great list of compound words to find inside the book along with their meanings.

The characters are beyond adorable—I wish I could join the group hug, too!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute introduction to compound words (and how punctuation can change the meanings of sentences!)

[Shireen Hakim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This younger children's picture book has an exciting plot and a sweet ending. I'm not sure kids would understand all the word play. It was confusing even for me, definitely clever though.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the humor, the wordplay, expressions on bear’s face and the lesson about compound words at the end of the book. Would be a good book for babies all the way up through elementary school students.

[Charlotte Offsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hilarious and adorable brand new picture book is packed with wordplay. It features Over, a bird, and Under, a mole, who spend the day together at the park. This is a wonderful book to introduce your children to wordplay, compound words, or to just giggle your way through. I particularly love that the subtly woven themes of friendship and inclusion open doorways to important conversations. I highly recommend adding it to your shelves!

[M.O. Yuksel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over, Bear! Under, Where? is a hilarious picture book filled with the escapades of two friends playing in the park. In addition to being funny, it also has a heart-warming ending of acceptance and friendship. The clever word play, puns, and compound words will keep children and adults engaged in each and every reading. The back matter includes an author's note and a list of compound words. A great addition to homes and classrooms!

[R.G. Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a clever and punny children's book that also would give the adults reading it giggles. In a very playful way, Julie Hedlund also makes sure that kids recognize the heart of the story which is compassion and inclusion, and not to judge someone by their appearance alone. She also introduces the kids to compound words by using the main characters named Over and Under. Such a fun book to read!

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delight from cover to cover.
The lively and clever opening pages name two friends by their life patterns: OVER (bird) and UNDER (mole). That lively launch introduces their shared caring, curiosity, and conceptual word twists will delight young audiences and their adult readers, having them chime in together after a few "read it again" requests.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...

OVER, BEAR! UNDER, WHERE? is a cute picture book read that plays on the concept of compound words. A bird named Over and a mole named Under are playing at the playground. As they swing and play on the see-saw, they explore their own location in relation to the other (a tricky concept considering their names). Then, a Bear comes to the playground! As they run and ride, they soon notice that the Bear is lonely and just wants to play. They soon join in for some friendly fun.

What I loved: This is a cute and simple story that is told through the pictures and confusing text. Older readers who enjoy word play will get into these fun statements that also contain compound words, of which Over and Under fit into quite often! A lesson around these words and this book could be a fun way to begin teaching and thinking about compound words. The end of the book contains a list of the compound words included in the story to get readers started.

The book contains relatively few words on each page, which works well, as it takes some additional processing time to under the double-meanings of each phrase. The font is large and easy to read on each page, which works especially well for reading in a classroom or group setting.

What left me wanting more: As the double-meanings can get confusing in the book, I would recommend this for older readers who can get into it and enjoy it. For toddlers and younger preschoolers, this may be a bit too confusing to fully grasp.

Final verdict: A fun exploration of compound words, OVER, BEAR! UNDER, WHERE? is a picture book full of word play that is sure to make readers giggle. Recommend for elementary age and independent readers who can understand the nuances in the word changes.

Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Claire Noland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for your next picture book to read aloud? A book that will cause kids to think and laugh out loud? Then I have the book for you.
OVER BEAR! UNDER WHERE?
Julie Hedlund Michael Slack Philomel
A mole named Over and a bird named Under are great friends. They enjoy playing at the park
on the teeter totter where Over is over Under. Then Under is under Over. They move under and over on the swings. At the barbeque, they meet a hot-dog dog who joins them for, you guessed it, a hot dog. When a large bear arrives, they run but the bear is behind, between, and in front of them. It turns out the bear is not scary. He is sad which is Unbearable!
OVER BEAR! UNDER WHERE? Is a hilarious friendship tale which works on many levels.
Younger readers will enjoy the simple text written with speech bubbles in large font and the antics of Over, Under, the dog, and the bear.
Older children will enjoy the clever wordplay, double meanings, puns, and compound words.
As with the best picture books, the expressive illustrations and text combine to create a complete story that is meant to be read aloud with expression. This book will leave kids laughing and begging to hear it again and again.
This clever book is a perfect addition to home and classroom libraries that makes experimenting with language fun.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over and Under are friends playing at the park and picnicking with their friend, Dog. When Bear appears, they all run away, but soon Bear overtakes the group. To get away from him, Over, Under, and Dog dig a hole and hide inside. The friends soon realize, though, Bear wasn’t trying to ruin their day; he just wanted to join in the fun.

This is a MUST HAVE picture book for all elementary libraries and classrooms. Not only are Over and Under the characters in the book, but they are also prepositions and parts of compound words. Over, Bear! Under, Where? is the perfect introduction to these elements of English grammar while also providing a solid laugh at the wordplay throughout.

[Ashhad Syed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is extremely clever and witty with its simple but complex story. It is so much fun to read that you'll want to read it over and over again.

When over and under get together, word play is bound to happen. And when Bear comes along, the reader is overcome with curiosity and delight at what happens next.

So, how much over and under can one have? Not enough!

This book is a must read for every child (and grown-up) who loves humorous and creative stories. A necessary story for each kid's collection.

Julie Hedlund continues to write books that educate, entertain and enthrall the reader.

By,
Zainab Khan

[Claire Blumenfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over, Bear! Under, Where? written by Julie Hedlund and illustrated by Michael Slack, is a pun-filled, engaging picture book that skillfully introduces the concept of compound words. At the same time children are laughing and learning, they will be delighted by the beautiful story of an unusual friendship with a subtle message of inclusion. This is a perfect mentor book within both the English Language Arts and social emotional learning curriculums. The book includes an author note in the back matter with a list of compound words and definitions, to find in the text. Classroom and reading teachers will be sure to reach for Over, Bear! Under, Where? every year!

[Nell Cross Beckerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Marx Brothers-esque picture book is deceptively simple, with jokes, wordplay, and concepts that will have you paused on each page, soaking in the cleverness and re-reading every word to make sure you squeezed every last layer out before you move on. I could see this being a favorite in any fun-loving family...and to be honest I felt my brain growing a little bit after each reading. Michael Slack's illustrations perfectly complement the spare text and add to the madcap humor. I was *not* expecting a sneaky lesson on compound words when I opened this book, but the last page glossary of them enhances the experience even more. The perfect book for home or school.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Julie Hedlund and illustrator Michael Slack join forces to create a delightful picture book filled with clever word play, comic antics, and heartfelt message. Friends named OVER (a bird) and UNDER (a mole) go over and under each other on a seesaw, have a hotdog picnic with a hot-dog dog (dachshund), and hide from a bear - until they see his sadness at being excluded ("Unbearable!"), and end up with bear hugs for all. In Hedlund's hundred-word text OVER-flowing with puns and powerful but UNDER-stated message, together with Slack's lively and expressive pictures, children will stretch their understanding of how words work - and open their hearts, too.

[Ashley Belote]

Over, Bear! Under, Where?!? I mean, the title alone indicates a clever, fun, and punny tale! It does not disappoint. Word play is a truly an art form and Julie Hedlund does a wonderful job using that technique. She has created a fun read aloud that will bring lots of laughs to listeners and readers, plus the tongue twisters are fun to say! The unique narrative is coupled with Michael Slack’s captivating and cute artwork, presenting an overall happy experience page after page. This is a must for story time wherever books are read! 5 stars!

[Marilyn Wolpin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neither over-done nor under-done, neither over-bearing nor under-whelming, Julie Hedlund’s Over, Bear! Under, Where? is a sweet, heartwarming tale of over-coming fear and under-taking a new friendship. And every page offers another pun. Cute characters and simple art by Michael Slack under-score the story that also proves – punctuation matters. If the goal is honey on the page with a bit of learning on the side (compound words), this book succeeds, and children will ask to for it to be re-read over and over (and under).

[Karla Valenti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie Hedlund's OVER, BEAR! UNDER, WHERE? (hilariously illustrated by Michael Slack) is sheer genius! This is a brilliant text that combines smarts and sillies in a thoroughly engaging way. Children will delight at the tongue twisters and silly antics of Over and Under (and Dog and Bear). Grown-ups, teachers, and word-lovers will appreciate Julie's clever tactics in conveying complicated concepts. This is sure to be a well-read and much-loved addition to any picture book library.

[CK Malone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one great book. I love the wordplay and the way Hedlund wrote a throwback to that kind of slapstick and wit found in old comedic acts that people still adore today. Slack's illustrations blend beautifully with the action without detracting from the humor. I especially enjoy the glossary at the end of the PB that explains exactly how the narration and dialogue create these words. This is a winner!

[Sylvia Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Packed with playful illustrations, fun puns, and clever wordplay—including an impressive series of hidden compound words throughout—this story shines for not only its humorous action, but also for showing how assumptions can cause unnecessary angst, while empathy can lead to heartwarming outcomes. This is an excellent picture book, and the hide-and-seek challenge to find compound words is such an entertaining bonus for readers of all ages!

[Tootie Nienow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tongue twisterly, prepositionally, punny, funny book! The silly characters will keep readers laughing and caring about each character until the very end. Over and Under, two cute friends are enjoying a nice day at the park when they spot a bear's behind. The puns get more and more silly. Such a fun read aloud! Teachers will love the Author Note and list of Compound Words that follow the story.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

With adorable illustrations, this hilarious picture book is brilliantly clever. My 9-year-old son and I giggled from cover to cover. As a speech pathologist, I imagined how I would use this book as a fun tool to work on prepositions (maybe with finger puppet characters to reenact the pages). Highly recommend this fun read aloud!

[Norene Paulson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful story of friendship and inclusiveness woven together with hilarious word play. The clever use of puns and compound words keep the reader giggle as two friends Over and Under spend the day at the park. The fun is "compounded" when they are joined by Dog and encounter a Bear. OVERall the fun is unBEARable...UNDERstand? A "must-have on my shelf" book!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often you find a book that is laugh-out-loud funny, unbelievably clever, and educational all in one, but Over, Bear! Under, Where? manages to hit all the marks! This expertly illustrated book follows two friends as they embark on a Who's on First style adventure that teaches compound words and wordplay while encouraging smiles and laughter on every page. Total romp of a read aloud!

[Jenna Waldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes me happy—it's so un-bear-ably cute! The puns and wordplay are delightful. It's fun to share with little ones and get them excited about the joy of words. Micheal Slack's adorable art is the perfect pairing for Julie Hedlund's text. My favorite scene is the offering of "Bear, fruit?", as the friendship story nears it's satisfying ending.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my word! What a fabulous, punny, funny, clever story that has it ALL -- alliteration and humor, plot and puns, and all within a sparse text! I am so impressed with the creativity of this author, and the illustrations are just PERFECT! Well done! And it will even subtly help teach kids a thing or two about word play and sentence structure and more! But mostly, it's HILARIOUS!!! LOVE IT!

[Derick Wilder · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of fun wordplay and clever puns, then OVER, BEAR! UNDER, WHERE?... wow, is this the book for you! On the opening spread, we discover that Over and Under are actually the names of two friends, setting the table for a terrific read-aloud adventure that is not only bursting with the aforementioned wordplay, but also with a wonderful blend of humor and heart.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two friends, Over and Under, play at the playground and then are joined by a dog and a bear and then the verbiage gets interesting.
A unique way to introduce young readers to compound words, full of great visual cues to promote the understanding in this fun word-witty book. What combinations can you make with over, under, bear, and dog?