What do you think?
Rate this book
Mitjà
Hi ha una gran diferència entre el que els germans grans i els germans petits poden fer, però ..., què es pot fer quan un és el germà mitjà? Susanna Isern i Manon Gauthier ens ho expliquen en una narració senzilla i evocadora on la solució als problemes que se li plantegen a una família d'óssos, està en qui no destaca, i que alhora, és únic i irrepetible.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published December 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
June 24, 2020
Born the middle child in a family of bears, our ursine hero in this sweetly affirmative picture-book leads quite a middling life. Everything he owns or does is midway between the things owned and done by his elder and younger brother. At times, he quite despairs at being the middle bear. But when his parents fall ill, and only he can fetch the willow bark they need, he realizes that being in the middle isn't so bad...
Originally published in Spain as Mediano, and translated into English by the Toronto-based Kids Can Press, Middle Bear offers an engaging picture-book exploration of the challenges of being a middle child. The quest narrative at the end reads a bit like a classic fairy-tale, with the three brothers setting out, but is Susanna Isern's story it is the middle brother, rather than the more traditional youngest, who succeeds. The text itself is quite repetitive, with its frequent use of the word "middle," something I could see being either entertaining or irritating, depending upon the reader. The artwork, done by Canadian illustrator Manon Gauthier in collage, pencil and mixed media, utilizes a muted palette, with the occasional colorful flourish. Recommended chiefly to young middle children, and to those looking for stories for and about them.
Originally published in Spain as Mediano, and translated into English by the Toronto-based Kids Can Press, Middle Bear offers an engaging picture-book exploration of the challenges of being a middle child. The quest narrative at the end reads a bit like a classic fairy-tale, with the three brothers setting out, but is Susanna Isern's story it is the middle brother, rather than the more traditional youngest, who succeeds. The text itself is quite repetitive, with its frequent use of the word "middle," something I could see being either entertaining or irritating, depending upon the reader. The artwork, done by Canadian illustrator Manon Gauthier in collage, pencil and mixed media, utilizes a muted palette, with the occasional colorful flourish. Recommended chiefly to young middle children, and to those looking for stories for and about them.
May 31, 2017
If you are a middle child then you will know exactly the feelings middle bear experiences as this tale is told. He is the second of three brothers. He is too young to hang out with his older brother and too young to do things with his baby brother. Everything about his life, his activities and his sibling placement in the family is middle-sized. He longs to feel special and noticed by the others around him.
His father often goes out with his older brother to collect walnuts and almonds while his mother naps with his younger brother leaving him to read a book by himself. He begins to feel depressed and sorry for himself. However can he get himself noticed and rid himself of the middle-child-syndrome blues? The tears he shed can not wash away his sadness and feelings of unworthiness.
One day his parents fall ill and urgently request that the three brothers go off on a mission to fetch them some willow tree bark to cure their maladies. Nervous and apprehensive the three leave to go to the mountains to grant their parent's wishes. The exciting turn of events is that the mission can only be completed by guess who??? Yes, middle bear!!! He becomes the hero of the day and finally is celebrated and fussed over by everyone in his family. Hurray for Middle Bear!!!
What a great book about family values and how important it is to make every child feel like they are number one. The illustrations are truly unique and very kid-friendly. I highly recommend this charming heartwarming story.
His father often goes out with his older brother to collect walnuts and almonds while his mother naps with his younger brother leaving him to read a book by himself. He begins to feel depressed and sorry for himself. However can he get himself noticed and rid himself of the middle-child-syndrome blues? The tears he shed can not wash away his sadness and feelings of unworthiness.
One day his parents fall ill and urgently request that the three brothers go off on a mission to fetch them some willow tree bark to cure their maladies. Nervous and apprehensive the three leave to go to the mountains to grant their parent's wishes. The exciting turn of events is that the mission can only be completed by guess who??? Yes, middle bear!!! He becomes the hero of the day and finally is celebrated and fussed over by everyone in his family. Hurray for Middle Bear!!!
What a great book about family values and how important it is to make every child feel like they are number one. The illustrations are truly unique and very kid-friendly. I highly recommend this charming heartwarming story.
October 5, 2017
Middle Bear is the second of three brothers. When the brothers go out into the forest to do various errands, Middle Bear is either too big or too small to be of any help. His older and younger brother both seem to be the right size. But Middle Bear seems to always be in the middle.
He seems to go unnoticed. And he longs to be different, to be as special as his brothers.
Susanna Isern’s little book is perfect for children to may seem that there is no place for them. And it is great for helping children experience some empathy for the child who reads alone or who cries because of his or her sadness.
Read more at: http://jasoncstanley.com/book-review-...
He seems to go unnoticed. And he longs to be different, to be as special as his brothers.
Susanna Isern’s little book is perfect for children to may seem that there is no place for them. And it is great for helping children experience some empathy for the child who reads alone or who cries because of his or her sadness.
Read more at: http://jasoncstanley.com/book-review-...
February 15, 2019
For (older) middle kids and bear fans; this is a longer, wordier book. Middle kids will likely relate to middle bear.
If you are reading it to a younger child, it may help quicken the reading pace if you skip some of the "middle" words.
If you are reading it to a younger child, it may help quicken the reading pace if you skip some of the "middle" words.
December 19, 2018
A middling book for middle children.
September 23, 2017
Middle Child Blues.
My personal reaction to this, rather dull coloured book was only 3 stars, but I shared it with my 2 year old granddaughter and her enthusiasm raised the star rating to 4. It usually takes her a few reads to feel 'friendly' towards a book, but as soon as we'd finished this she was asking for "Bear".
It tells the story of Middle Bear, who always seems to be either too small or too big. Being an eldest child, I guess I also missed the significance of being stuck in the middle, it seemed ideal to me, you could play with either sibling. But I can imagine that it might be difficult for some children and a book that encourages discussion about this would help children struggling with such a situation.
I loved the idea that the three bears could help their sick parents, and the illustration with the three of them tending to bed-ridden parents is adorable.
Unfortunately I'm not a great fan of this style of artwork and I'm mystified as to why the colours are so uninspiring. Maybe these childish illustrations attract children, I'd be interested to know.
This would be a great book for a pre-school library, to share within families.
I could also imagine it being the first of a series of Middle Bear adventures.
My personal reaction to this, rather dull coloured book was only 3 stars, but I shared it with my 2 year old granddaughter and her enthusiasm raised the star rating to 4. It usually takes her a few reads to feel 'friendly' towards a book, but as soon as we'd finished this she was asking for "Bear".
It tells the story of Middle Bear, who always seems to be either too small or too big. Being an eldest child, I guess I also missed the significance of being stuck in the middle, it seemed ideal to me, you could play with either sibling. But I can imagine that it might be difficult for some children and a book that encourages discussion about this would help children struggling with such a situation.
I loved the idea that the three bears could help their sick parents, and the illustration with the three of them tending to bed-ridden parents is adorable.
Unfortunately I'm not a great fan of this style of artwork and I'm mystified as to why the colours are so uninspiring. Maybe these childish illustrations attract children, I'd be interested to know.
This would be a great book for a pre-school library, to share within families.
I could also imagine it being the first of a series of Middle Bear adventures.
April 23, 2023
Based on the blurb here on Goodreads, this picture book for young children sure has a heavy load of freight to carry:
"Though the book focuses on the role of middle children, it really celebrates every child's efforts toward self-discovery, as they seek out their own special place in the world. It also offers a wonderful opportunity to highlight the character education subject of perseverance or a lesson on empathy."
Of course, being a child psychologist, Susanna Isern can't resist having a whack at this one. Middle Children. Oh, so many miserable neurotics, clamoring for her assistance!
Personally, I don't think that language like "half-convinced" is for children. Like the rest of this book, the real audience appears to be adult readers. Perferably ones who like explaining life to young children, rather than trusting them to understand what's in the picture books that were (ostensibly) created just for kids.
Sure, I'll give this psychological exercise FIVE STARS. For all I know, many adults have learned a great deal about their issues, thanks to Isern's books on psychology made simple, with pictures.
"Though the book focuses on the role of middle children, it really celebrates every child's efforts toward self-discovery, as they seek out their own special place in the world. It also offers a wonderful opportunity to highlight the character education subject of perseverance or a lesson on empathy."
Of course, being a child psychologist, Susanna Isern can't resist having a whack at this one. Middle Children. Oh, so many miserable neurotics, clamoring for her assistance!
Personally, I don't think that language like "half-convinced" is for children. Like the rest of this book, the real audience appears to be adult readers. Perferably ones who like explaining life to young children, rather than trusting them to understand what's in the picture books that were (ostensibly) created just for kids.
Sure, I'll give this psychological exercise FIVE STARS. For all I know, many adults have learned a great deal about their issues, thanks to Isern's books on psychology made simple, with pictures.
May 28, 2017
I have three boys and I know the reality that the middle child faces everyday. They often get overlooked or feel like they don't get treated like the others because they are stuck in the middle, neither big nor small. This book brings to light that struggle and finds a wonderful way of showing how special a middle child can be.
I enjoyed reading this book to my three year old, but he didn't seem very interested in the artwork. TO tell you the truth, I wasn't to intrigued by it myself. It looked like something my Seven year old would do as a school art project. I think the artist was going for something that I didn't find interesting. It wasn't my style.
If you have a middle child give this book a go. Its a fun read.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
I enjoyed reading this book to my three year old, but he didn't seem very interested in the artwork. TO tell you the truth, I wasn't to intrigued by it myself. It looked like something my Seven year old would do as a school art project. I think the artist was going for something that I didn't find interesting. It wasn't my style.
If you have a middle child give this book a go. Its a fun read.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
June 12, 2017
A really sweet book about a middle bear. He is not big, he is not little, he is just middle sized and does not feel special at all. When mother and father need help, it is middle bear who is able to complete the task needed. This is a great book for children who are the middle child and are trying to find their niche. It is also a good book to discuss with the older and younger child so they can empathize with the middle sibling. The illustrations are quite interesting. They look like children had created them which would certainly appeal to children. They were cut paper, crayon, chalk, coloured pencil and more. Quite an interesting addition to this story. I would definitely recommend it to families where the middle child is feeling a little left out. A great book for family and school libraries. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
April 3, 2018
Everything in this young bear's life is middle-sized; his bike, his dinner, his bedtime, even the tears he cries when he is sad about being the middle bear. When his parents become ill, the three brothers need to retrieve something to help them from the top of a high mountain. They face a dangerous situation and he discovers that being the middle is not so bad after all. This story highlights that every size has their own benefits and that you should feel happy and proud no matter the size. The book illustrations are a bit dark, but I really enjoyed the style of them. They are very child-like. Not being an artist, I don't know the technical term, but the pictures look cut and pasted, giving more depth. Nice story.
May 30, 2017
A really sweet book about a middle bear where everything in his life is middle sized and he feels less than special. The writing is lovely and shows that middle children are just a great as the eldest and youngest (which I know lots of middle children sometimes don't feel - I'm the youngest of 3). I would definitely recommend it to families where the middle child is feeling a little left out.
The illustrations are interesting and different to other children's books. I'd be interested to see it in print rather than on a computer screen!
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Netgalley and Kids Can Press.
The illustrations are interesting and different to other children's books. I'd be interested to see it in print rather than on a computer screen!
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Netgalley and Kids Can Press.
June 9, 2017
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A wonderful book for all the middle children in the world. (As well as all the older and younger children who need to have better empathy for their frequently invisible sibling!)
Middle Bear feels lost between the older and younger children in the family. There are times it even makes him feel sad. It is not until his not-too-big and not-too-little size is perfect in an tricky but important situation, that he sees the value of being in the middle. The clever illustrations kept me guessing the various mediums used. (Cut paper, watercolors, chalk, charcoal, but of acrylic?)
A wonderful book for all the middle children in the world. (As well as all the older and younger children who need to have better empathy for their frequently invisible sibling!)
Middle Bear feels lost between the older and younger children in the family. There are times it even makes him feel sad. It is not until his not-too-big and not-too-little size is perfect in an tricky but important situation, that he sees the value of being in the middle. The clever illustrations kept me guessing the various mediums used. (Cut paper, watercolors, chalk, charcoal, but of acrylic?)
September 16, 2017
Middle Bear is an adorable story about using your skills and abilities right now. Being in the middle is difficult for the main character. He can't do the same things as his big brother or little brother. An adventure takes all three brothers out of their comfort zones and helps the middle bear to realize he's just the right size.
I love this story. It will be a great one to share with littles who may be frustrated with their size or lot in life. Little hands can do big things! The illustrations are not my personal taste, but they do add an element to the story, so pre-readers can follow along as well.
I love this story. It will be a great one to share with littles who may be frustrated with their size or lot in life. Little hands can do big things! The illustrations are not my personal taste, but they do add an element to the story, so pre-readers can follow along as well.
November 7, 2017
Middle bear is not the biggest or the smallest. He's right in the middle, which doesn't seem very important. When a problem arises that only a middle bear can solve, he finds his place and his own inner peace. Sweet for middle children, but with not a lot of substance and featuring an adventure few children of any birth order will ever encounter.
Still, good for quiet sharing with someone who needs a comforting reminder that everyone can find their Goldilocks fit in life: someplace just right.
Still, good for quiet sharing with someone who needs a comforting reminder that everyone can find their Goldilocks fit in life: someplace just right.
November 19, 2017
Originally published in Spanish, this is a tale of what it is like to be the middle child of a family. They are not the oldest, tallest, biggest, fastest, and neither are they the baby, smallest, slowest. There are plenty of times that being the middle child is "just right", as in this story. While I liked the story, the illustrations were a bit dark and muddy for my taste. Perhaps if the artwork were not in shades of brown and black I would have liked it better.
A satisfying, predictable read.
A satisfying, predictable read.
June 21, 2017
I received this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
This is the perfect book for a family of three. The middle child will relate more than the others, but they will see the side of the middle child as well. It's a fun little story and will be relatable to children. The illustrations were on the elementary side and I believe that was intentional. I would be anxious to see what they look like on paper opposed to a screen.
This is the perfect book for a family of three. The middle child will relate more than the others, but they will see the side of the middle child as well. It's a fun little story and will be relatable to children. The illustrations were on the elementary side and I believe that was intentional. I would be anxious to see what they look like on paper opposed to a screen.
October 24, 2017
As a parent of 3 children, I love this book. It is heartwarming and uplifting without being overly sentimental and conveys perfectly the mediocrity of being a middle child. I love the shell-shocked/glazed expression of the bear and the use of child like illustrations, as they convey his perception of himself as unremarkable. As the story unfolds, middle bear find out that there are some things he is just perfect for. This would be a perfect book for middle children.
March 7, 2018
A sweet little take on being "just right" or "in the middle," with arresting illustrations that are refreshingly unique. The youngest readers may not find this attention-grabbing, but I think it's guaranteed to be appreciated by middle children ages 6+. It's a lengthy and verbose for the target age group, but readers of the right sort will identify with the story. Might even work as a read-aloud with older-elementary students.
May 30, 2017
Great story for all the "middle children" and adventurers out there. Our three year old loved that everyone had a place and was so happy at the end to see that the family was "all back" together. He enjoyed the fish and the travel over the ice and mountains the best.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 1, 2017
Beautiful artwork! As the oldest child in my family, it was interesting to read a book from the middle child's perspective. Teddy bears are such universally loved characters, and this book was not an exception. All the characters are loveable, but the middle bear is the hero!
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me preview this book.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me preview this book.
June 2, 2017
This was an interesting story about being the middle child. And the artwork was also interesting. Not amazing in the usual way, but very unique. It makes to books stand out from others of this subject. The Middle bear, is the middle bear is the middle bear. Not too big, not too small. He is just right.
July 1, 2017
I absolutely loved this. A really cute book about a middle children, the middle children are thought to get less attention than their siblings and feel less than special. The illustrations are interesting and wonderful. The story are very heartwarming.
I received this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review
I received this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review
October 16, 2017
Cute story for anyone suffering from middle child blues. My youngest was not really interested in the story, I, however, liked the illustrations and thought they were very well done. This book is great for large families with two or more children. Especially if you have a child struggling to find their place in the thick of it all.
This book is perfect for ages 2-4 (maybe 5).
This book is perfect for ages 2-4 (maybe 5).
November 8, 2017
A story of the middle child of three brother bears who is able to solve a problem to obtain medicine for his parents.
A little to heavy with the "middle" things; i.e. middle size steps, middle size feet, middle size blanket, etc.
The illustrations are done with cut paper collage, colored pencil and mixed media. The pictures are rather static and childish.
A little to heavy with the "middle" things; i.e. middle size steps, middle size feet, middle size blanket, etc.
The illustrations are done with cut paper collage, colored pencil and mixed media. The pictures are rather static and childish.
November 25, 2017
#Edelwiess #middleBear
Middle Bear can't do anything because he the middle bear. Not big enough, not small enough. Things never seem to go his way. The book reflects on the middle child and how difficult it can be when you're just in-between. I loved this book and the message that the author has for children. I would recommend this book easily here at our library.
Middle Bear can't do anything because he the middle bear. Not big enough, not small enough. Things never seem to go his way. The book reflects on the middle child and how difficult it can be when you're just in-between. I loved this book and the message that the author has for children. I would recommend this book easily here at our library.
July 12, 2018
Quite honestly, I read this book because the illustrator and I have the same last name. It's a terrific book for those of us who are middle-of-the-road, average types. And the quirky illustrations are marvelous. Gauthier--the other one--has a unique, child-like style that young readers should find very accessible. I know it made me want to try drawing bears and fish.
January 23, 2020
I picked this up thinking it was sort of a take on goldilocks, but it actually turned out to be more of a book for kids who are the 'middle child'. I might have to re-check this book out again if we have more kids, for now we just have our one year old son, and he thought this book was okay. The illustrations didn't catch his eye too much, I think because the colors are very muted. Cute though!
September 24, 2020
Illustrations are kind of dark -- very black/brown/gray.
A story about a middle bear who is in-between and middling in everything.
Then, one day, being not too small and not too big turns out to be very important.
Best for kids who already know Goldilocks and the Three Bears because this does play off of that a bit.
A story about a middle bear who is in-between and middling in everything.
Then, one day, being not too small and not too big turns out to be very important.
Best for kids who already know Goldilocks and the Three Bears because this does play off of that a bit.
July 19, 2017
This one has a nice message about everyone having a role in a family-even the middle child who feels like he is never quite the right thing, until he is. I didn't really like the collage art work in this one.
September 4, 2017
Middle Bear hates being in the middle of everything. Everything for him is middle sized. When his parents are in need of help he is the only one who can get to the medicine. Being middle didn't seem so bad after that.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews