How Do You Say It Today Jesse Bear

Jesse Bear

by Nancy White Carlstrom, Bruce Degen (Illustrator)

How do you say it today, Jesse Bear? How do you say it today? In January, Jesse says it with whistles and cheers as he welcomes the new year. In February, it's with hears on the Valentine cards he makes.Throughout the year, Jesse finds many different ways to say it, but the message to Mother and Father Bear is always the same -- "I love you."

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Holiday, Family

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Nancy White Carlstrom has written more than 50 books for children, including the Jesse Bear series with illustrator Bruce Degan.

Born the daughter of steel mill worker William J. and Eva (Lawrence) White, Nancy White Carlstrom was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, on August 4, 1948. She practiced writing poetry, enjoyed reading books like Little Women, and wanted to become a children’s book author at an early age. Carlstrom worked in the children’s department of her local library in Washington during her high school years. She graduated from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, majoring in Elementary Education and earning her B.A. in 1970, also studying at Harvard Extension School and Radcliffe from 1974 to 1976. In September of 1974, she married David R. Carlstrom, later a pilot and a marketing director at Fairbanks International Airport. They had two children—Jesse and Joshua.

She draws inspiration from her 18 years living in Alaska, volunteer experiences in Africa and Haiti, and raising her two sons.

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jesse Bear runs through the months of the year, highlighting the biggest holiday or activity associated with each one. It's pretty bland, so the artist tried to spice it up by hiding little "I {heart} U" messages in some of the pictures, but that doesn't help much.

The only interesting thing I found in the book was since Jesse celebrates the Fourth of July at a parade, he must live somewhere in the United States. I don't think I've seen any hints or references to the setting before.

[BiblioBeruthiel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a possibility for storytime, but I dislike the christian-centric focus at a public library event (Easter for April and Christmas for December. Easter isn't even always in April.) I will most likely skip it.

[EB's · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Jesse Bear book, but there are others I enjoy so much more. This goes through the year, just like the Berenstain Bears, but with the feel of this series. What do you say in January, February, March, etc.? I love the illustrations and the love within the pages.

[Anna Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great way for kids to learn the months of the year and holidays within those months.

[Ann Babcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to read to Grandkids!!

[Melinda Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesse Bear learns about the months of the year and the holidays in them.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite Jesse Bear book. Reading the months out loud at the top of each page was really awkward.

[Alicia Steagall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book going through the months of a year and holidays

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found another Jesse Bear book! I love these.

[Maritza Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you say it today, Jesse Bear? "In January, Jesse says it with whistles and cheers as he welcomes the New Year." Each month Jesse Bear says something in perfect rhyme. I recommend this book to learn months and introduces a lyric picture children's book.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This addition to the Jesse Bear series deals with holidays and special occasions. Throughout the year, Jesse has different ways of spreading good wishes to his friends and family, depending on what is being celebrated. In January he says it with horns, but in February it's with hearts. In May he says Happy Mother's Day with flowers, but in June he says Happy Father's Day with sails, as he and his father play with a sailboat together. As he is fitted for new school clothes in September, Jesse Bear says it with buttons, and to finish out the year, in December he says it with gifts.

Though the holidays being celebrated are never explicitly named in the story itself, Bruce Degen's illustrations bring each season vibrantly to life, and it's easy to guess, especially for an older child who can remember past years' celebrations, which special day each page discusses. My favorite spread in the entire book is the gathering of the entire extended bear family around the Thanksgiving dinner table, with Jesse Bear at the head of the table in a little blue suit.

These books continue to remind me of Little Bear, but there is something more contemporary and more human about them. Little Bear is very much a bear, even though he has human qualities, whereas Jesse Bear is basically a human being being drawn as a bear. And that is the appeal of these books for me. They celebrate the warmth and happiness of a loving family in a way that small children find comforting, and that mirrors many of their own cozy childhood experiences.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Jesse Bear book helps teach children the various holidays that go along with each month of the year. Each month is on each page along with pictures that go along with the holiday for that month (4th of July, Mother's Day, Christmas, etc)and end the end wraps it all together as however he says it it's always he saying "I LOVE YOU" a charming child's book.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 3 out of 5]

By the title I assumed this one was going to be about the days of the week, perhaps the months, but mostly days = today. However there was not even a mention of the days of the week as it was only the months covered in this book. Otherwise, the rhymes are good fun.

[Sydney McClure · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is great for teaching on the months of the year. The text is rhyming as well. It repeats the phrase "how do you say it today" several times, and that can help new readers read by memorization. Good for younger grades like k-1

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute book about seasons and holidays-doesn't flow or appeal quite as well as the others in the Jesse Bear series.

[Nicole Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another story about Jesse bear. This book is very elementary book for young learners.

[Danny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun one to read around Valentine's Day.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teaches months of the year.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

We usually pick this one up around Valentine's Day, but Tommy has picked it a few times lately. He's such a love bug!

[Deborah Harris]

AR Quiz No. 31627 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 2.2 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP

[sweet orange books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read and rated: 2018-11-12

[Jeani · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet way to teach the months of the year, seasons and holidays!