The Very Cranky Bear written by Nick Bland is a picture storybook intended for children ages 3-5. The Very Cranky Bear is the story of four animal friends looking for a dry place to play on a cold and rainy day. They take shelter in a cave not realizing a bear was already there. The story takes place in the “Jingle Jangle Jungle” on a cold and rainy day. Four animal friends – Moose, Lion, Zebra and Sheep, our protagonists, search for a warm, dry place. They wonder into a cave only to find a bear, our antagonist, already inside trying to sleep. The bear roars loudly, shows his teeth, and chases the four animals back outside. Not understanding why the bear is so cranky, the animals come up with ways to cheer him up. Moose finds antlers (branches) for him, Lion gives him a mane of golden grass, and Zebra paints on stripes with mud. Sheep, feeling plain, offers nothing and stays outside when her friends go back in to “dress” the bear. It is through these actions that we learn more about the personalities of our four protagonists. Thinking of only what makes them feel superior, Moose, Lion and Zebra do not take the bear’s feelings into consideration. The bear once again roars loudly and chases the animal friends back outside. This time, he turns to Sheep and tells her he wants a quiet place to sleep. Sheep shaved off half of her wool to create a pillow for the bear. She tiptoed back inside the cave and quietly offered him the pillow. Although plain, Sheep was thoughtful and kind. The bear politely took the pillow, thanked her for her thoughtfulness, and fell asleep with the four animal friends safely inside. Throughout the story, the characters’ personalities were developed; some fully, some partially. We only saw one side of Moose, Lion and Zebra. We saw their selfishness. Their characters were flat and static. We did not see them change. Sheep’s personality was fully developed making her character round and static. We did not see her change, either, but learned she was mischievous, self-conscious, shy, and thoughtful. The bear’s personality, also fully developed, changed, however, with Sheep’s gesture, making his character a round dynamic one. The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland centers around the theme of a little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.
November 25, 2019