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13th out of 45 books
—
13 voters
Bear with Me
by
Max Kornell
Everything in Owen's world is just peachy-till his parents bring home a bear named Gary-without even asking! Gary changes everything: he takes up way too much space and makes a mess of all of Owen's toys. Gary means well, though, and eventually Owen starts to see that there are some good things about having a bear in the family.
Because Gary is such an unusual addition to...more
Because Gary is such an unusual addition to...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
May 12th 2011
by Putnam Juvenile
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23 May 2011 BEAR WITH ME by Max Kornell, Putnam, May 2011, 32p., ISBN: 978-0-399-25257-0
"I had a little brother
And brought him to my mother
And I said I want another
Little brother for a change..."
-- Mary Ann Hoberman, "Brother"
"Who has a little brother?" That's what I ask my young audiences -- while signaling them to raise their hands -- before I begin reciting Mary Ann Hoberman's poem which (as a firstborn) is one of my all-time favorites.
You see, I have a little brother. Fifty-three years late...more
"I had a little brother
And brought him to my mother
And I said I want another
Little brother for a change..."
-- Mary Ann Hoberman, "Brother"
"Who has a little brother?" That's what I ask my young audiences -- while signaling them to raise their hands -- before I begin reciting Mary Ann Hoberman's poem which (as a firstborn) is one of my all-time favorites.
You see, I have a little brother. Fifty-three years late...more
Bear with Me by Max Kornell is a look at family dynamics, change, and sharing when there is an unusual and unexpected addition to a family.
Owen's world is great until his parents bring home a bear named Gary to become part of their family. Gary's loud and large needs often come ahead of Owen's. Owen must let him sleep in his room and play with his toys and possessions, even though Gary is messy at times. After Gary breaks the swing, Owen is very mad. Gary gets Owen to see that they can play tog...more
Owen's world is great until his parents bring home a bear named Gary to become part of their family. Gary's loud and large needs often come ahead of Owen's. Owen must let him sleep in his room and play with his toys and possessions, even though Gary is messy at times. After Gary breaks the swing, Owen is very mad. Gary gets Owen to see that they can play tog...more
Change is inevitable, and it's often hard for children and adults to handle changes in their lives. When Owen's perfect world is shaken up when his parents add a bear named Gary to the family, he is less than pleased. Suddenly, it seems that his parents no longer seem to have time for him and must take care of Gary's needs first. But Gary is wise, and he makes sure that Owen knows he wants to spend time with him and share their common interests. While some reviewers have had mixed reactions to u...more
Bear With Me was a fun book about a boy, Owen, whose parents bring home a bear. Owen does not like surprises and does not like the bear because the bear is taking Owen's toys, attention, and breaking his markers. One day Owen finds out the bear is good with blocks and they immediately hit it off by finding different ways to have fun together that Owen had never thought of. They end up becoming best friends by the end. The illustrations in this book were wonderful, cartoonish images that I really...more
I have often suggested to parents looking for "new baby" books to think of their child's reaction to a new sibling as the equivalent of how THEY would feel if Dad brought home a new wife! Here Kornell attempts to use a bear as a sibling substitute and while it may tickle grownups, a bear is not really a substitute for a baby. Nor will it grow up quickly into the perfect playmate.
Above all, a lot of the "new baby" books are used by parents of 2 and 3 year olds who seldom relate what's going on i...more
Above all, a lot of the "new baby" books are used by parents of 2 and 3 year olds who seldom relate what's going on i...more
Owen seems to have the perfect family...a mom, a dad, and him. Until, his parents bring home a bear. Now Owen must share the attention of his parents, his room, and his toys--Owen is NOT happy. In fact, Owen is angry because bear snores too loud, ruins his markers, breaks his swing, and changes everything. Will Owen ever be able to accept bear as a new addition to his family?
Kornell's text and illustrations showcase all the different emotions that Owen encounters as he is faced with a huge life...more
Kornell's text and illustrations showcase all the different emotions that Owen encounters as he is faced with a huge life...more
There is definitely a lesson being taught in this book, but it didn't come off as preachy to me. It was kind of cute. At first I thought this was going to be likened (or symbolic) to the boy having a new sibling. But after I finished, I figured it could be anything that is a change. I am, after all, one who has really had to learn to deal with change. Children do, too. So this is a good way to help them. Especially since the illustrations are cute and it's fun to see how the two compromise. (Mak...more
Owen had a great life before Gary showed up. One day his parents just showed up with a big bear. They said they had always wanted a bear. But Owen didn’t want a bear at all. Gary was going to sleep in Owen’s room, share Owen’s toys, and live with them as part of their family. Now his parents were busy with Gary and Gary snored when he slept! He even left the covers off the markers so they dried out and broke the swing in the backyard. Owen finally had enough and went outside by himself. Gary fou...more
Bear with Me tells the story of how a young boy goes from hating the new bear (read: baby) to appreciating and enjoying a playmate. Nothing very fresh, really, but a lovely take on a predictable story.
I liked the illustrations, which are colorful and kid-friendly. I also really liked the use of color in the text and the repetition and parallelism of the plot. Recommended for preschool through Grade 1. A solid choice for both school and public libraries.
I liked the illustrations, which are colorful and kid-friendly. I also really liked the use of color in the text and the repetition and parallelism of the plot. Recommended for preschool through Grade 1. A solid choice for both school and public libraries.
We've always wanted a bear, is what his parents say when they decide to add a large brown bear to the family, without even asking our main character if he wants one--which he doesn't. Bears snore and they don't know how to take care of markers, and they break your swing.
This is a cute book about a kid dealing with changes in his life that he feels like he has no say in, sort of a new sibling book as well.
This is a cute book about a kid dealing with changes in his life that he feels like he has no say in, sort of a new sibling book as well.
Very sweet. For some reason the kids in story time today thought it was utterly hilarious that the bear's name is Gary, but I'm not clear whether they think it's a hilarious name period, or just a hilarious name for a bear. Either way, laughing is better than running around screaming, and those were the only two settings for some of the kids today (I hate story time without caregivers in the room).
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I think this would be a good book to read to a child if the parent was expecting someone new to stay with them like a family member, a new baby, or a friend. But this story shows that things aren't as bad as they seem to be, that change from the usual can make it seem bad. When you get to know someone [even a bear], you may be surprised about how much in common they have with you!
Owen's parents surprise him with a...bear. Now they think the family is complete. A unique way to perhaps address the feelings involved with having a new sibling without the typical "new baby" book. May be good for blended family situations. Granted, a child is not a bear--but feelings are feelings.
I'm pretty sure the bear is supposed to represent a new baby here...interesting concept, but kind of misleading for a kid when it turns out that a new sibling won't be quite as much fun to play with as a new bear, at least not for a few years. I enjoyed the story, though.
A nice first effort from Max Kornell. What do you do when your parents bring home a bear? How do you get past his flaws to find his good side? Kornell tells a story of friendship accepting others who are different and making things work between the two of you.
Sep 16, 2011
Rebecca Dean
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
adventure,
animals,
childrens,
contemorary-fiction,
family,
fear,
fiction,
friendship,
life-cycles,
picture-book,
preschool
This is one of the cutest picture books I have read in a long time. This would be a great book to read to children who are getting a new baby sister or brother. This book can help them see that there is good in everything even if it does come with a little bad.
great book for sibling rivalry because this boy has a bear thrust upon him by his parents to "make their family complete." recognize that line? great for lower elementary kids too. pics aren't great for storytime but great for lap reading.
Owen's world is just perfect until his parents decide to bring home Gary the Bear. Very cute illustrations make this a great read alond with the message that sometimes what we weren't looking for is exactly what we need.
When Owen's parents declare that they have always wanted a bear and have brought one home, he is less than thrilled. Gary, the bear, is loud and large and destroys Owen's toys. I can imagine reading this book with older children who are welcoming (or NOT welcoming) home a new sibling. Funny and honest book.
I think this book was written more for adoption than a new baby? Because all the things it talked about "bear" doing when he comes into the family are things only big kids could do.
Reminded me a little of Can I Keep Him?, one of the few pictures books of my youth that I own. Good message about learning from/with others, but with a BEAR. :)
I ADORE this book. So funny and cute. The little boy's expressions are priceless as he vies for attention from his parents with his new sibling of sorts - the bear :)
A new bear at home . . . sticky situation. But there are some good things that come out of changes.
It would be better if the bear wanted his hat back.
It would be better if the bear wanted his hat back.
Dec 13, 2012
June
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
adoption requests
Recommended to June by:
Polly
This felt a little long to use with my younger story time crowd. However, it is a sweet story of a boy adjusting to an adopted bear.
Great book for anyone who has added a child to the family, especially an older child via adoption or foster care.
Sometimes mom and dad bring something home and you just have to bear with it until you get used to each other.
This is a fun story about a new addition to the family. The new family member is a bear, but children who are experiencing similar changes, such as a new sibling or step-sibling will be able to easily relate to young Owen's plight. The narrative is simple and the illustrations, with watercolors, inks, acrylics and cut out pictures are colorful and cartoonish. We enjoyed reading this story together.
Such a cute story. Great for young ones to learn about compromises.
Delightful story from a debut picture book author and illustrator.
Mom and dad bring home a surprise - Gary the bear!
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