Be Gentle!

by Virginia Miller

Now these lively books about the adorable Bartholomew can be enjoyed by very young children. Carefully resized while making full use of the original artwork and story, the stories adapt perfectly to a board book format. Both deal humorously and sympathetically with toddler care issues, treating the child/carer relationship with a unique warmth that children and parents love. Eat Your Dinner! examines mealtime discipline and Be Gentle! tackles pet care.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Family, Friendship, Fiction

Hardcover

First published August 4, 1997

About the author

Virginia Miller wrote and illustrated her first George and Bartholomew story after observing a toddler's frustration with potty training. The result was ON YOUR POTTY!, followed by more George and Ba books acclaimed for their simple, authentic dialogue, expressive illustrations, and toddler-friendly themes.


"The next most likely problem needing book treatment," Virginia says, "seemed to be eating -- or not eating -- one's dinner." The winsome EAT YOUR DINNER dramatizes this all-too familiar conflict at the dinner table; in its review of EAT YOUR DINNER, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL declared, "Everything about this book will appeal to toddlers."


"These books," Virginia says, "are intended to help make light of common parent-child conflicts because if they make you smile, things don't seem so bad." She hopes that every parent and child will recognize the benefits and trials of unconditional love that George the father bear and Bartholomew the child bear share. "When the going gets tough for Bartholomew, it's comforting to him to know that George is always there for him--and will love him through all his moods."


Formerly a resident of Wiltshire, England, Virginia now lives in New Zealand.

Reviews

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m trying to teach my littlest how to treat our new cats, and out of all the books I’ve read to him, he related to this one the most. Ba isn’t trying to be mean, he just doesn’t fully understand that the things he’s doing aren’t fun for the kitten. The books looks a bit dated, but the illustrations are cute, and it gets the lesson across well.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book mostly because I was rofling at the little bear saying, "Nah" every time the big bear told him to be gentle :D

[Jeniece Goellner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations on the cat's face are very funny.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

AR 2.0

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet and 2yo definitely understood and linked to her own experiences saying how she is gentle with cats.

[M Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This teaches me to be gentle to a kitten when it's a baby because it will run away from you or scratch you.

[Jennifer Wrage · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute! Great book to read with small children so they understand how to treat pets.

[silent · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved the illustrations and the plot of the story as well.

[Jack Kirby and the X-man · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of what is apparently a series of stories about Bartholomew the bear by Virginia Miller. This is the first in the series that I have read, so I wasn't familar with the characters. But really understanding the motivations of the characters really isn't a problem.

Essentially this is the story of Bartholomew who receives a little black kitten from his father George. Ba treats the kitten like any toddler does - hugging too tightly, squirting with the hose, banging drums nearby and generally not respecting the kittens personal space. Through this George valliantly, and vainly, calls 'Be Gentle!'. Eventually the kitten runs away and Ba learns his lesson to be gentle.

X-man is still too young to understand the moral of the story here - but I'm sure my three cats wish he could! With time I'm sure that we will be using this story to reinforce our own valliant and vain attempts to get X-man to be gentle with the cats (let alone other toddlers and maybe even his parents!).

[Roland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but I loved this one. It's about a little bear who plays too roughly with a kitten, and his dad keeps telling him to be gentle with her. Let me just state this right now: I love misanthropic writers, such as Jim Goad and Florence King. Most of the books I read are pessimistic, angry, and explore the dark side of human nature. However, I have no shame in saying that a book about a bear and a kitten damn near brought me to tears. If that makes me a puss, so be it.

[Keegan Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute. Wasn't especially amazed by it, but I guess it's just supposed to illustrate the point for children.

[John]

Great storytime fare!

[Aspasia]

Bartholomew has a lot to learn about how to treat his new kitten.

[Mfoot]

Doucement Alfred !

[Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

06/01/24 - Read by Grandma :-)

[Irene Palfy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very simple - but really cute pictures..