Little Pear and His Friends

by Eleanor Frances Lattimore

Little Pear is a young boy who lives in a small village in China. Although his story takes place long ago, Little Pear is much like any little boy today--always on the lookout for excitement and adventure!

Wherever Little Pear goes, there is fun to be had. His friends love to join his adventures--especially his best friend, Big Head.

Accompany Little Pear as he goes ice fishing, masquerades as a beggar boy, finds a tiger in his house, and--best of all--gets a brand-new little brother!

Genres: China, Childrens, Geography, Kids, Chapter Books

129 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1934

About the author

Lattimore was an American author and illustrator born in what was called the American Compound in Shanghai and raised in China where her father, David Lattimore, taught English at a Chinese government university.
Lattimore came to the United States and studied art in Oakland, California, Boston, and New York City and worked for several years as a freelance artist. She became known as the author and illustrator of more than fifty popular children's books; her first book, Little Pear, is considered a children's classic.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely vintage... today's parents would not let their children have so much freedom. And the girls were much more in the background & more domestic, with no way for a child reader to know if that's representative of the time, the culture, or that family.

However, it's a fun read, still relevant and valuable, and most of all amusing, to modern families.
Surprisingly culturally friendly: Little Pear is first a bold, impulsive, loving & lovable little boy, second he is from a small Chinese village of about a century ago... and nothing strikes me as racist or stereotypical or derogatory at all. I also enjoyed the first book and will copy this review there.

Read both from scanned copies on Open Library.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the descriptions of this book (on Amazon, perhaps?) says something about readers appreciating Lattimore's simple, direct style of storytelling. Very true. My boys and I love reading about Little Pear's adventures within and without his village in China. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as magical as the first Little Pear book, but my four-year-old seemed to enjoy it just as much.

[Melanie Mead · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sequel to Little Pear and my children and I enjoyed it just as much!

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soren’s review: I liked when he traded his little brother but I’d never trade Calvin.

[Michele The Bookish Tea Room · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids and I love these stories about Little Pear and his mischievous adventures! Great book!

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner - young listeners loved this and clamored for more. My only reservation is that things seem to be largely more of the same. I could live without this sequel, enjoyable as it is.

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent chapter book read-along with little children. The frequency of illustrations is just right.

[Friend of Pixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as sweet and enjoyable as the first book. Little Pear is a portrayed realistically in his tendency to leap before he looks. His new little brother adds some interest as Little Pear stops being the youngest and takes on the responsibility of being an older brother. Logan loves all the details we learn about Chinese culture. We'll probably read both these books again and I hope when he learns to read, that he'll re-read them himself.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joshua loves this read-aloud book about a 6-yr-old Chinese boy.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome book

[Ashley Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another cute adventure for Little Pear. A good, simple, light read.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very similar to the first book. We enjoyed reading more about Little Pear and his family.

[Kyrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

More stories about the young Chinese boy, his family and his new little brother. These are just charming.