A bear wants to paint a picture, and so he does; however, two fine, proper gentlemen dont make it a bad picture, right? Daniel Pinkwater turns art ...
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Sep 09, 2011
Cheryl in CC NV
rated it: 
I would love to see the original, with Pinkwater's illustrations. But I'm glad of this edition, too. Johnson's art is apt for the theme and for the early 21st century sensibilities. It reminds a bit of Ish and of Frédéric and other books by Leo Lionni - I wonder if the original would have done so even more.
There are a lot of books with this theme about self-expression... I wonder if they're still so necessary in the West? I picked it up not because of the theme, but because I'm a f More...
There are a lot of books with this theme about self-expression... I wonder if they're still so necessary in the West? I picked it up not because of the theme, but because I'm a f More...
Jun 23, 2008
Roxanne Hsu
rated it: 
Absolutely fabulous! The text is matter-of-fact; straightforward; and it conveys a great sentiment -- the artist's own interpretation is enough to make any artwork worthwhile. A bear can be a painter and he can paint whatever he feels like and see whatever there is in the picture without being told by others that he can't paint or what his artwork means.
And the ART in this book is unusual, for sure. The contrast between the gray-scale color scheme of the three characters and the More...
And the ART in this book is unusual, for sure. The contrast between the gray-scale color scheme of the three characters and the More...
Dec 30, 2008
Christina
rated it:
I love Daniel Pinkwater, and like DB Johnson. A bear is painting, doing his own thing, when a pair of fine gentlemen come along telling him what he should not be doing, painting is what he should not be doing according to them.
Not as fun as Irving and Muktuk, or Larry the polar bears who make trouble where ever they go. This brown bear obviously has more decorum, not to mention artistic talent. I did like it though, and the dullard gentlemen get their comeuppance in the end.
Not as fun as Irving and Muktuk, or Larry the polar bears who make trouble where ever they go. This brown bear obviously has more decorum, not to mention artistic talent. I did like it though, and the dullard gentlemen get their comeuppance in the end.
Jan 12, 2009
Susan
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I still remember being told in second grade that I drew the sky wrong. When I went home and told my Dad that the sky was supposed to be a big long rectangle of blue in the sky colored in corner to corner, but mine was wrong, he said not so. Mine, a small frenzy of blue, was just fine for a sky. I figured since he was an artist, he probably knew best so I just kept on drawing skies my way. So far, it has worked out well.
This bear and my Dad would understand each other.
This bear and my Dad would understand each other.
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Nov 09, 2011
Heidi
rated it:
This feels like Pinkwater's child/art analogy to how he feels about one's own writing. And I quite agree! I love the illustrations. And I really like the bear (and his increasingly spattered scarf). I'm not sure I could get this to be as entertaining in a preschool storytime, but it would make an excellent lap-read.
Jan 14, 2009
Alyson
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I loved the contrast between the grey bear and the bright picture he is making. I could not wait to see his finished product. This is a reillustrated version of a title from the 1970s. I wonder what those illustrations were like.
Jun 29, 2009
Destinee
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Even though "two fine, proper gentleman" give him a hard time, bear paints an awesome picture. The best part is looking at the picture upside down after it's finished. SPOILER: It looks like THE BEAR!
Aug 09, 2009
Edna
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jun 30, 2010
Chrystal
rated it:
Such creative art - my oldest loved how she knew what the bear painted, even if the stuffy gentleman didn't.
May 30, 2008
Susan
rated it:
0-7
As Bear paints a picture, two passing “proper gentlemen” stop to criticize. The reader, along with the gentlemen, watch the painting progress from a few strokes to a complete picture. Johnson displays a nice use of color and geometric shapes. A special detail is bear’s scarf, which starts off black and white, and by the end is a rainbow of paint splotches. Furthermore, Bear’s colorful painting juxtaposes the “proper gentlemen” who are in shades of grey and black. A nice story that promo More...
As Bear paints a picture, two passing “proper gentlemen” stop to criticize. The reader, along with the gentlemen, watch the painting progress from a few strokes to a complete picture. Johnson displays a nice use of color and geometric shapes. A special detail is bear’s scarf, which starts off black and white, and by the end is a rainbow of paint splotches. Furthermore, Bear’s colorful painting juxtaposes the “proper gentlemen” who are in shades of grey and black. A nice story that promo More...
Sep 18, 2008
Ruhama
rated it:
Bear decides to paint a picture--an abstract, much to the chagrin of two proper gentlemen. As Bear works, they try to decipher it, only to find their interpretations are nothing like Bear's intentions, and get sucked into the picture (as if being ignored). Only Bear's painting is in color, brilliantly standing out and drawing the eye to it, each page different as the paint is layered on the canvas. This would pair well with art books (The Dot or Why Is Blue Dog Blue?), as well as poo-pooing adul
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Apr 23, 2009
Chantel
rated it:
From 2009 Caldecott contender list.
I loved the illustrations but was not caught up by the storyline. I liked it better than my kids did. They, like me, were drawn to the amazing illustrations. They watched bear's painting change and grow and they loved the colors. We were a little put off by the "two fine, proper gentlemen". This seems to fall into the category of kids books for adults.
I loved the illustrations but was not caught up by the storyline. I liked it better than my kids did. They, like me, were drawn to the amazing illustrations. They watched bear's painting change and grow and they loved the colors. We were a little put off by the "two fine, proper gentlemen". This seems to fall into the category of kids books for adults.
Sep 25, 2011
Kathy
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Bear draws a picture. It is a picture of stream in the forest with a hollow log with leaves to crawl in and flowers. Two gentlemen who drop by disapprove and say that it doesn't look like what it is supposed to be. But the bear is not at all upset and is still happy with his picture! E picture book for 2-4 year olds.
Apr 25, 2008
Giraffasaurus
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This book sends a great message about art, creation, and critics. If you're pleased with your art, it shouldn't matter what others think. It's a great story paired with illustrations from one of my favorite illustrators.
Apr 29, 2008
Anna
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This story is about a bear who paints his own picture even though two fine, proper gentlemen tell him that bears can't paint pictures. Really sweet. The illustrations are really different too, almost art deco.
May 13, 2008
Eileen
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Art is about creativity and not about what others think. Illustrations are cute with use of black and white for the "proper gentlemen" and background and great vivid colors for the paint and art.
Jun 09, 2008
Sue
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New illustrations for the proper Bear's Picture are delightful. Fun. Quirky. A perfect match for the "fine proper gentlemen". Stylized yet the colors leap off out of the story.
Oct 17, 2008
Amanda
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I liked the moral of the story. I also get the artistic part of it. But I didn't get into the illustrations and text....just didn't float my boat.
Jun 24, 2008
Rachel
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Sweet story about a bear painting a picture despite what others say. A good message about being yourself.
Jul 30, 2008
Tricia
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bear's picture is critiqued. couldn't get into it. would be too difficult to readaloud.
Nov 14, 2008
Suzanne
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I liked the message in this book, but I found Bear kinda creepy looking.
Dec 29, 2011
Dec 09, 2011
