Maudie and Bear

Maudie and Bear

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3.28 of 5 stars 3.28  ·  rating details  ·  130 ratings  ·  48 reviews
Bear's world revolves around Maudie. Maudie's world also revolves around Maudie.

In this delightful picture book, readers will meet Maudie, a plucky young girl, and her friend Bear, a gentle giant with a heart of gold. Whether they are going on a bike ride, fixing an afternoon snack, or dancing together, Bear's love for Maudie is unwavering and his devotion will win over r...more
Hardcover, 48 pages
Published January 5th 2012 by Putnam Juvenile (first published January 1st 2011)
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Courtney Canino
The main characters of this story were Maudie and her servant who was a bear, and quite fittingly named so; Bear. The point of view was second person, and the lexile was 300 so it is best for primary grades. The setting was in Maudie's house. The plot was that there were about 5 short stories about Maudie and her servant Bear. Each story had a small problem within it, but then it was quickly solved, normally by Bear. For example, in one of the stories Maudie is dancing and so Bear laughs with ex...more
Barbara
Maudie is used to having her way, and luckily for her, her companion, Bear, is quite patient and quietly tolerates her detours, her rudeness, and her insecurities in a series of five different adventures. It's a good thing Maudie has Bear since there aren't a lot of individuals who would be content to leave a just-set table filled with all sorts of yummy breakfast items such as fruit and pancakes to take a walk. Even when they settle together in a comfy chair to listen to a story, Maudie becomes...more
Karin
Lovely and appealing watercolor illustrations draw your eye to this book. Unfortunately, Maudie is a whiny, over-indulged, bratty child. The first story isn't so bad - it takes forever for Maudie and Bear to take their bicycle ride because Maudie keeps forgetting, then remembering things that they need to do/bring/wear before they can leave the house. Maudie's messes might have been endearing if she didn't throw tantrums and need So.Much.Special.Treatment. and Understanding. This picture book ju...more
Ingrid
I think I dislike this book more than any other book I have purchased for the library. It is the story of a young girl and her bear friend. There is no explanation of why she is friends with a full-sized live bear--I have no problem with this. Together they undertake minor adventures. In each little vignette, the girl treats the bear with total disrespect. She is bossy, impatient, lazy, demanding, dismissive and ungrateful. The bear is a total doormat.

I think the point of this book was to paint...more
Miriam
Is this a commentary on motherhood, on how mothers slave and sacrifice for their thankless, selfish vampire brats?

Is it a warning about the reality of toxic friendships where one "friend" does nothing but take and the other gives beyond exhaustion?

Is it a blackly humorous observation of the reality that the world favors the cute and disadvantages the ugly, fat, and ungainly?

Is it a parable of the working class and the false consciousness that keeps them subject to the demands of the uncaring eli...more
Melissa Posten
I am amused by the number of reviewers calling Maudie out for being spoiled and bratty. I actually liked the way Bear dealt with most of the situations. Would I have done all that cooking? No. But walking away when a child is still mad and wants time to themselves to calm down? Absolutely. Taking a long time to get out of the house? When doesn't this happen? Maybe I liked it because Maudie reminds me of Molly, who I indulge when I can time-wise because isn't so much of childhood sped up now? It'...more
Karen
Maudie is adorable - willful and imaginative and charming. She has a bright personality, and to those reviewers that take that to task....lighten up. My daughter was like this as a kid and she's a creative bright 20-something now with a full-time job and a Hollywood internship and creative friends. There's a place in the world for girls like Maudie who are acting out their imaginative impulses on their own terms. Bear is wise to be patient and kind and play along! I love how this book gets to th...more
Cynthia ☮ ❤ ❀
On our first visit to the library together my daughter and I picked this as one of the first we checked out with our new library card. Let me say I honestly picked this picture book because of the cover and the illustrations. I did not pre-read any of the text. Now, after reading the book let me start with what I liked about the story, I liked the idea of Maudie and the Bear having a close friendship. I also loved the charming illustrations. Unfortunately, I find myself in agreement with what ma...more
Paul  Hankins
Perfect "ladder" for the upcoming A BOY AND A BEAR IN A BOAT (June 2012) wherein we will see more of this kind of Maudie behavior and more long-suffering on the part of a bear. The illustrations here are beautiful. Who wouldn't love a nursery decked out in bear-themed decor without the boorish behavior of Maudie (which sounds too much like Maddie for my comfort--my Maddie is a princess. . .who has been given to moments of "Mad-i-tude," but I wish I could have seen something in Maudie that would...more
Lois
Other reviewers have criticized this book for its bratty and capricious little girl. She certainly is a handful, and Bear (parent figure) is endlessly patient with her. In my experience children like reading about characters who are naughty so that they can live vicariously without getting into trouble. The illustrations are gorgeous and can be particularly enjoyed by those familiar with Australian architecture and birds.
Emily Grossenbacher
In this adorable picture book we meet two friends: one, Maudie, a demanding young girl, and the other, Bear, a kindly bear. Through these stories we see them bike riding, dancing, snacking, and napping, yet with each story, we are more and more endeared to the precocious Maudie and the Bear that loves her selflessly. I loved getting to know these characters and I cannot wait to share them.
Sandy
Maudie and Bear are a ludicrous pair, on the surface: one self-obsessed little girl and the most patient, caring gigantic bear ever. It's not a sketch to cognize the patterns of a preschool child learning what it means to share company and consideration with a trusted, tender older friend, sibling, or parent. And the images appeal, exploring character, comedy, and concern.
Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)
Beautiful illustrations but I disagree with the message. Basically a child is taught that it is okay to be rude and demanding and take for granted the care and dedication and love of a caregiver. A parent's love (which the Bear is suppose to represent) may be unconditional but that doesn't mean that a child shouldn't be held accountable for inappropriate behavior.
Leigh
Ick. Picture book about a young girl and her imaginary bear. The girl is an obnoxious brat and the bear is endlessly patient. Gives her cookies, patiently waits for her as she dawdles and plays with her even while Bear is so tired she literally can't stay awake. Right up there with "I'll Love You Forever" and other creepy books about excessively devoted adults. Brrr!
Dana
Why is it that some of literature's most serious and honest depictions of intimacy, with all its attendant horrors and joys, are dealt with in children's picture books about bears? I don't know. I fucking do not know. But here's a starter list:

Maudie & Bear (co-dependency)
A Visitor for Bear (fear of rejection)
The Lonely Doll (trust issues, also: spanking)
Jennifer
This is a smart, cute series of stories featuring a young (at times spoiled) little girl and a bear who has taken on a parenting role. The idea behind the stories is a kind of loving that persists. The back of the book sums it up perfectly by saying: "Love is inexhaustible."

The illustrations and writing complement each other and there is subtle sort of almost ironic humor that is noticeable when you read and then look at the drawings.

Examples of Things I found Amusing:

(1) Maudie suggests a bike...more
Tasha
Through five short stories, readers get to know Maudie and her best friend Bear. Maudie is a little girl who is always planning the next thing for them to do. She can be bossy, definitely has opinions, and yet has a charm that is hard to resist. Bear certainly does not resist at all, instead helping Maudie plan their next escapade. The pair have a series of adventures from a bike ride that is more about fashion than exercise to a very Goldilocks-like encounter to dancing under the stars. The two...more
Great Books
Delightful story of a precocious little girl and her ever faithful friend bear. Maudie has much to learn about patience and thoughtfulness from bear on their many adventures. Humor abounds as Maudie floats along in life as bear guides her with gentle grace. Reviewer 3.
Michelle
Four gorgeous short stories in one book. Each one is a story about a little girl and her daily activities with a bear. The stories are told in dialogue and the illustrations are divine. I love reading these stories with my daughter.
Dolores
Adorable little story that kind of reminded me of the Edith and Mr. Bear books that I used to love. The art is sweet and warm and the book is written in a series of vignettes that will make you smile.
Elisabeth
Some of the best illustrations I have ever seen - I want a print of almost all of them! However little Maudie is not likable AT ALL. She's spoiled and is mean to Bear and Bear just puts up with it. Ugh.
Karen Arendt
Beautiful illustrations are bound to become classic. The book is a collection of 5 short stories divided into chapters that cover various aspects of Maudie's friendship with a large lovable bear.
Nancy
Illustrations are spectacular. The stories are quiet and sweet and have a little twist. It reminded me of "Little Bear" series but not quite as clever. The illustrations are winners!
Bridget R. Wilson
The illustrations are charming, but I can't bring myself to like Maudie. She's selfish with a capital S. I feel sorry for Bear. Of the five stories, my favorite was "The Bike Ride."
Tracie
Five short, delightful stories introduce plucky young Maudie and her ever-patient friend, Bear. A picture book with "chapters" for young readers who long to feel more grown-up.
Donalyn
While a lot of reviewers focus on Maudie's bratty, ungrateful behavior, I prefer to focus on Bear's unconditional love for her. Beautiful illustrations.
Jane
Mar 07, 2012 Jane added it
Freya Blackwoods' delicate expressive pencil and watercolor illustrations hark back to classic children's book illustration of the early 20th century
Bethe
Maudie can be a little annoying but Bear has plenty of patience and love for his charge. Love the old time feel to the illustrations.
Kris DeLabio
Great short stories in this picture book. I really liked the pencil drawings in the background of the pages.
Clare Cannon
The illustrations are lovely, but it isn't pleasant reading about a spoilt child who never learns to apologise.
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Maudie And Bear (Hardcover)
Marietta Und Ihr Bär
77408
Jan Ormerod grew up in the small towns of Western Australia, with three older sisters, and as a child she drew constantly and compulsively. She went to art school and studied drawing, painting and sculpture. After completing her degree, Jan become an Associate of the Western Australian Institute of Technology and Design in Education, taught in secondary schools on enrichment programmes, and lectur...more
More about Jan Ormerod...
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