Don Freeman was a painter, printmaker, cartoonist, children's book author, and illustrator. He was born in San Diego, California, attended high school in Missouri, and later moved to New York City where he studied etching with John Sloan. Frequent subjects included Broadway theatre, politics, and the circus. He was also a jazz musician, and the brother of circus entrepreneur Randy Freeman.
Remember that front cover image, Goodreaders. Once you've taken the chance to look at that picture close up, rejoice in this moment. Quite likely, you'll never see a more graceful bear -- on a unicycle or off it.
Don Freeman has given us the equivalent of Fred Astaire Bear!
AS THE STORY UNFOLDS
Here's a problem that -- despite all the other problems in life for you and the one(s) you read to -- this is a difficulty you've likely never had:
How could Bearymore possibly create a new act and hibernate at the same time?
Oh, Don Freeman, as author and illustrator, you've outdone yourself with the ending, big-huge applause to you!
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A family favorite. A young circus bear named Bearymore faces a problem. The ring master wants a new act by the end of winter. Thankfully a answer to his problem arrives in an surprising way.
I've neglected Don Freeman books for a good long while, boiling him down to a simple Corduroy reference, but his writing is so much more than that. He was a great narrative storyteller. He gave us great, lovable characters who struggled to overcome life's problems in honest, noble ways. Bearymore is a fine example of one of those characters. He's noble and kind and manages to do amazing things when faced with an adverse situation, things he even isn't aware he could do. Maybe I'm a sucker for a happy ending, but this story tickled me in the best sense.
This was an adorable story about a circus bear. When his friends from the circus goes to FL for the winter he hibernates. HOWEVER the ring master tells him that he needs a new act or he can't perform next year. He tries to figure something out and can't fall asleep until he finally gets to sleep when he wakes up he realizes he left his unicycle outside in the rain so when he figures out how to get it he also finds his new act.
Black and white pencil drawings punctuated with a mustard. Not a color combination that would be used today. I love the name Fantella for the elephant and the pictures are charming.