Little Bear and the Marco Polo: A Charming I Can Read Story About Imagination and Family Memories for Children (Ages 4-8)

by Else Holmelund Minarik, Dorothy Doubleday (Illustrator)

Since Else Holmelund Minarik's beloved Little Bear made his debut more than fifty years ago, generations of children have grown up with Little Bear by their side, delighting in his charming adventures and curious spirit. Now Little Bear returns to the world of I Can Read in Little Bear and the Marco Polo —a story filled with imagination, warmth, and tender memories that Grandfather shares with Little Bear.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, 1st Grade

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Else Holmelund Minarik was the author of the Little Bear series of children's books, which were successful as books, and were also made into a successful children's TV series. The Little Bear books sold more than 6 million copies worldwide.

Else Minarik was also the author of another well-known book, No Fighting, No Biting!

She was born in Denmark, and with her family immigrated to the United States at the age of four. After she graduated from Queens College, City University of New York she became a journalist for the Rome Daily Centennial newspaper and taught first-graders during WWII. Minarik lived in Nottingham, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Katt Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really wasn't sure of the message of this book, and wasn't liking what I saw. It seems that the road to adulthood lies in giving up the things one loves and making sacrifices for others that leave one feeling sad and empty. Or perhaps I'm reading too much into this.

Either way, I found this book depressing, even with the glimmer of hope that perhaps Little Bear would someday act on the dreams of his Grandfather.

[Jeni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't sure how I'd like the books without Maurice Sendak's illustrations, but Doubleday did a great job keeping the character consistent. My 7 year old sat and listened to the whole book (5 stories) after having listened to about 10 other books. He giggled at times, too.
Little Bear has such a sweet relationship with his grandparents, something I've always enjoyed in these books. Even when Grandfather is so tired he ends up falling asleep while playing with him, Grandfather always makes time for Little Bear. And Grandmother? She put on her wedding dress which was a "bit tight" to cater to a whim of Little Bear's. Stellar grandparenting.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Bear and the Marco Polo is a entertaining story about a bear who is a seaman, his wife grandma bear, and their grandson, Little Bear. The book is a sweet introduction to spending time with grandparents, sea travel, maps, ladybugs, and history.

The language is short and simple which it perfect for little readers. The images are simple, and the story is light-hearted. This book is great for 2.5 or 3-year-olds. It is about a 10-minute read and I think it will grow in meaning as the child learns more about the world.

Reading Little Bear and the Marco Polo book left me with a smile, and I look forward to rereading it.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Bear helps his grandfather go through a trunk in the attack and learns about his grandfather's boat, his grandparents' early life together, and what other bears he'd meet if he sailed around the world.

There's a lot of text in here for a level 1 reader. It's a sweet story of a little one bonding with his grandparents and hearing their stories. Pick this one for Grandparents day or something similar.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Bear gets to hear all about Grandpa's past stories. He was a sea captain and his boat was the Marco Polo. They spend an afternoon in the attic going through old things and then they go look at the boat.

It really is cute. The drawings have a bit of Beatrix Potter in them I feel. Very pretty, like a memory.

A sweet story. This is a reader so it's for older kids, but young kids can still enjoy the story also.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little bear and his grandfather reminisce while doing some work in the attic.

[Alyssa Ricard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another beginner book, level one, with simple sentences in paragraph form. This is a lovely story about a grandpa teaching his grandson about bears all over the world. Very informative.

[WinterBat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than I thought it’d be, considering the title. Nice reminiscing of the past.

[What April's Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Bear is one of our favorites. Always sweet books to read as a family.

[Aischa Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet

[Darrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

W

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book from a series children of all ages will love. Little Bear is an instant classic!

[Karen Dransfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story about Little Bear and his grandparents. He gets to ask them to tell him stories about things he finds in the attic. And Grandfather Bear tells him all about his younger days and meeting Grandmother and the Marco Polo. A lovely continuation of the Little Bear series.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Bear talks to GrandFather Bear about his first boat Marco Polo. GrandFather tells him wonderful stories about the boat and being on the water with it. Then he goes to show Little Bear the boat; although old and worn out Little bear thinks it's great.

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the character of Little Bear. I can't believe I saw this at the library and realized it is one I had never read to my own children! I have many Little Bear books, but not this one!

It's a cute story and teaches some fact also.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute. I haven't read a Little Bear book in quite a while, but this one certainly fits with the sweet character of Little Bear and his family.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so surprised to see a new Little Bear book. As sweet as I remember the others being. I loved when he told his grandma that he'd dance with her when he came back if she put on the white dress.

[C1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was sad because his ladybug flew away.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are pretty. The story was sweet.

[T Crockett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has all the warm humor that you expect from a Little Bear book. The setting - going through his grandfather's attic - was really appealing to the kids I read to.

[Charley Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because it had a cool boat in it.