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A Story for Bear
Open your heart and imagination to this magical fantasy about friendship and reading...
One sunlit afternoon, ab ear discovers a mysterious fragment of paper that leads him to a cabin and to an unlikely friend. Although he can't understand her words, he returns day after day all summer to hear the woman read to him. Each night he carries the sound of her stories--of sailors...more
One sunlit afternoon, ab ear discovers a mysterious fragment of paper that leads him to a cabin and to an unlikely friend. Although he can't understand her words, he returns day after day all summer to hear the woman read to him. Each night he carries the sound of her stories--of sailors...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
April 1st 2002
by Harcourt Children's Books
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A mother stopped to speak to me today and during our conversation she described with much enthusiasm how she loved reading this book with her children. Wrapping her arms around herself, she said it was the sweetest, warmest, and coziest book she had ever read. When I looked it up and said I'd like to read it, she begged me to read it within the next week so that she could ask me about it the next time she came in. So, as soon as I had a moment I read it. It was most definitely warm and fuzzy. As...more
Sniffle! I'm so in love with this book. It brought tears to my eyes. It's such a beautiful story about a bear who becomes infatuated with the written word when he finds an old letter fluttering in the forest. When he later happens upon a lady reading near her cabin in the woods, he shyly watches and sees how the book she is holding makes her feel so many different emotions. When she discovers the bear, she invites him over and reads aloud to him. It's so very sweet and dear.
This story celebrate...more
This story celebrate...more
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I loved, loved, loved this book. It was a quiet, soothing, perfect story of a bear and a wman who read to him. I was tearing up when she went home for the winter and left all of her books on the blanket for him. I remember thinking what a powerful book that could be in the hands of a person advocating the power of parents reading to their children. The bear's pleasure with the words despite not understanding what they meant sums up the experience perfectly: that it's about more than just the exc...more
Gorgeous and magical. The power of reading, of words, of story: the power of the sound of a dear voice telling the story.
This enchanting tale is all about friendship and the wonders of reading. A bear finds a scrap of paper with strange markings on it and fascinated takes it back to his cave. Then he sees a woman reading these rectangular things filled with the marks. A strange friendship begins to develop. He even shares the words he found with her but the woman cannot stay at the cabin forever but she leaves her books to keep bear company. The acrylic paint and colored pencil illustrations leave you with a warm...more
Sweet story about a bear and a women who share a love of books and reading one fall. This would be a fun book to read aloud with children then ask what they would think if a bear came up next to them? How would they feel? Do you think you could be brave enough to sit and read to a bear?
Reading to animals helps encourage reading and builds confidence with children. There are local programs, like Read to Rover, that go to schools and libraries that bring in dogs for children to read to. Maybe ins...more
Reading to animals helps encourage reading and builds confidence with children. There are local programs, like Read to Rover, that go to schools and libraries that bring in dogs for children to read to. Maybe ins...more
This is a sweet, quiet story about a bear who finds a letter and becomes fascinated with words on paper. He discovers a woman reading outside and as he returns each day, coming closer and closer, she eventually begins to read to him. I liked the message about the magic of books and the emotional ties to stories. I also liked the fact that this story celebrates reading aloud.
I thought the illustrations were terrific, but the story seemed off to me - perhaps it's the unlikely behavior of the bear...more
I thought the illustrations were terrific, but the story seemed off to me - perhaps it's the unlikely behavior of the bear...more
Aug 19, 2012
Lisa Vegan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
all who enjoy the written word, particularly those who appreciate being read to from books
Recommended to Lisa by:
Kathryn
Magical! This book is magical.
I could talk about warning kids not to get too close to wild bears or I could worry about loss and separation and how kids will react, but no; with this story these worries are not uppermost in my mind as they might be with other books.
This story might now be one of my favorites on my books-about-books shelf, and that’s saying a lot.
I love this illustrator and I adore this book’s pictures. The bear is particularly wonderfully depicted, but everything about the illus...more
I could talk about warning kids not to get too close to wild bears or I could worry about loss and separation and how kids will react, but no; with this story these worries are not uppermost in my mind as they might be with other books.
This story might now be one of my favorites on my books-about-books shelf, and that’s saying a lot.
I love this illustrator and I adore this book’s pictures. The bear is particularly wonderfully depicted, but everything about the illus...more
I loved this story so much. I loved the imagery and the beauty of the words. The illustrations were perfect and it was a joy to read out loud to my children. My daughter liked it but they all looked at me like I was crazy when I cried a bit at the end. I couldnt help it. It was so perfect. It hit home with the beauty of the woods and words and described books so perfectly. The bear was perfect too and I just loved it all. I will buy it for my kids for their own bookshelf soon.
Reviewed at: http://www.teachmentortexts.com/2011/...
Summary: Bear finds a letter in the forest and becomes fascinated with the idea of writing. One afternoon in the summer, he finds a young woman reading and is enchanted by her and her books. He continues coming back and she shares stories with him all summer.
What I Think: First, I have to tell you that at the moment when the bear and woman meet, my first reaction was RUN! Now, I am happy she didn't, but this would not be a book to teach bear...more
Summary: Bear finds a letter in the forest and becomes fascinated with the idea of writing. One afternoon in the summer, he finds a young woman reading and is enchanted by her and her books. He continues coming back and she shares stories with him all summer.
What I Think: First, I have to tell you that at the moment when the bear and woman meet, my first reaction was RUN! Now, I am happy she didn't, but this would not be a book to teach bear...more
One sunlit afternoon, ab ear discovers a mysterious fragment of paper that leads him to a cabin and to an unlikely friend. Although he can't understand her words, he returns day after day all summer to hear the woman read to him. Each night he carries the sound of her stories--of sailors.
Lovely illustrations by Jim La Marche, and a sweet and simple story. I loved that the bear came to sit and listen to books being read aloud to him, but was never magically transformed into a "reading" bear. It gave the whole story such a natural feel to it.
Thanks for recommending this one, Kathryn!
Thanks for recommending this one, Kathryn!
One of my very favorite books, for the story line and the illustrations.
As the review mentions, it celebrates the joy of reading, and being read to. Both of these bring heart-warming memories of being read to as a child and then reading to my own children. Must read in my opinion.
As the review mentions, it celebrates the joy of reading, and being read to. Both of these bring heart-warming memories of being read to as a child and then reading to my own children. Must read in my opinion.
The story is a little improbable (what with the whole woman reading to a bear premise). Still, the illustrations are gorgeous and the story is quiet and warm. It went over surprisingly well for library storytime for grades k-2.
I generally disapprove of books depicting people hanging out with wild animals in non-absurdist scenarios. But this one doesn't anthropomorphize the bear as I would have expected. It's a strange little story. Poignant too.
You must read this book! It is so touching, so warm, and kind. I felt as if I were there under the trees as the woman read to me in her kind, gentle voice. You can almost smell the pine trees! The illustrations are a story by themselves! The illustrator captured the heart of the bear. I loved the way the bear looked so lovingly and respectfully at the woman as she shared her stories with him. I read this tender story to my kindergartners and they were mesmerized. At the beginning of the school y...more
Nor have I rated this one either, apparently -- a book which comfortably situated in my list of top three favorite picture books.
It's beautiful.
Beautiful.
It's beautiful.
Beautiful.
I love books that have a character that loves books! This is just a sweet, sweet story and precious pictures too!
This is one of my new favorite children's books. It is so wonderful. It captures how dear books are to us.
Cute story with beautiful illustrations. The bear looks so cute I wish I could have a pet bear.
One of my favorites. Posted review: www.bookinwithsunny.com/posts/a-story...
Magical and wonderful! This is the sort of story that fills your heart with delight :)
Very sweet story; lovely illustrations in acrylics and colored pencils.
My kid really enjoys this book. I find it a little odd, though charming.
Tender and gentle, a solitary reader share her love of books with Bear.
This is just a beautiful story if you love books.
quiet, gorgeous illustrations & book related!
Luminous, through and through!
One of our favorite children's books
Tanner: 1 star
Logan: 3 stars
Logan: 3 stars
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