Sometimes We Fall

by Randall de Sève, Kate Gardiner (Illustrator)

An uplifting story that offers a reassuring message about finding the courage to take a small risk—and the sweet reward that may follow.

Sometimes you want to eat a juicy red plum at the top of a tree, but it seems so hard. What if you start the climb and a strong wind blows and the tree shakes? What if it rains and you slip and FALL? But those  sweet-smelling, juicy, ripe purple plums up there look so tasty, and best of all, Mama is waiting for you with words of encouragement. . . .

This tender picture book by New York Times bestselling author Randall de Sève, with illustrations by Kate Gardiner, is an empowering reminder that to fall and get back up again is the bravest, and sometimes most delicious, step of all.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Storytime, Childrens, Nature, Food, Emotion

Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2024

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the simplicity and sweetness of this story, especially as the mama bear is so reassuring to the baby bear that it's okay to fall. I especially loved that mama bear is not interested in fixing or doing anything for baby bear; she only encourages. It's a great message, with fun repetition, and absolutely delightful illustrations.

[Michelle Mallette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helping kids navigate a world filled with things that scare them is an important role for stories – think of Hansel & Gretel, Pinocchio, Lost in the Barrens, The Paper Bag Princess and many others. Here, a baby bear is on the ground, watching his mother in a big tree as she eats plump and juicy plums. Little Bear wants one of those plums so much! The story is told with the reader in second person as Little Bear – ‘"What if I try and miss?” you ask. “Sometimes we try and miss,” your mama says. munching ripe purple fruit. “It’s okay.”' That assuring message is repeated as you, the bear, gather your courage and face the many fearful steps of climbing a tree, reminded always that mama will be there. Of course, the fall happens, and it’s okay. Illustrator Kate Gardiner used gouache and colouring pencils to create images in a muted palette of soft purples, greens and browns that suggest a soft landing, no matter what happens. An encouraging story of support that embraces failure as just one step toward success. My thanks to the Grand Forks (B.C.) & District Public Library for including this book in its picture book collection.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, reassuring little book that will speak to adults (albeit differently) as much as it does children. A bear cub wants to climb a tree to pick a juicy plum, but he worries about falling. Mama bear is there to reassure him all the way.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

A straight forward look at life. You have to break some eggs in life. A mother is in a tree munching on a plum. The baby wants one too and is scared of all sorts of things. The baby is scared of falling and mom simply said, sometimes you fall, etc, etc, to all the things the baby is afraid of. Mom keeps eating her plum.

Baby does climb up and fall and she gets her sweet.

It's a good reminder that we can't be perfect in life. We have to learn to fall to move forward. It's such a hard lesson and one we need to learn.

The artwork is gouache and colored pencils. It does it's job. It's rather simple and that works for this story.

It would do any kid good to learn this lesson.

My nephew uses this all the time. "I'm just a kid, you can't expect me to do it." He likes to be helpless. My puppy was barking in the cage and we had to leave her there and he got so mad at the barking. I told him there isn't anything we can do. Well, he finally went into action and placed the cage outside. I was so proud of him. He always expects others to fix his problems and he did it himself. It was a great moment.

I'm mean old Aunt Cally and I also make both of them do dishes. They wine and complain every time I ask. I just say, you're part of the family, you have to help with the family. They still hate, but they can both do dishes now.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many youngsters need to read this encouraging picture book [3.5 for me!] with its positive and practical message. Despite our best efforts, there simply are going to be times when we fall or fail. The illustrations, created with gouache and colored pencils, follow a bear cub who watches as an older bear mounts a tree and munches on some delicious purple plums. As much as the cub longs for that fruit, it has fears of falling from the tree branches. There's a double-page spread consisting solely of the cub's neck and head leaning upward, but not able to try yet. The cub's mother reassures her baby that all of those expressed concerns might happen, but they won't matter in the end. Finally, the cub climbs the tree, scoots along a branch in order to reach a plum even though the branch looks fragile and probably won't hold its weight. Next thing it knows, it has fallen to the ground, but the cub is still okay despite the fall, and picks itself back up, climbs again, and enjoys a snack right alongside its mother. Yes, there was risk involved but not so much that anything too bad could happen, and look at what the cub's reward was. This might be a good read aloud choice that would prompt a rather fruitful discussion about risk-taking.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mama bear is in the tree eating yummy purple plums. Young cub wants some too but... they are a bit fearful. What if they jump and miss? What if they bump their nose?? What if they fall??? Mama acknowledges that those things do happen. But it might be worth the risk.

I think this book has Caldecott potential. The art is lovely and you can follow the story just by looking at the pictures. I especially liked how the description of the plums expands as the book progresses. They grow more tempting with every fear that the cub has to overcome. Plus Mama bear's encouragement is lovely. We all need to be reminded that it is OK to take a risk every now and then.

Also peek under the dust jacket - the cover of the book is different!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes something you really want is just a little out of reach. With a few obstacles in your way, are you brave enough to try?

In this tender story, a mama and baby cub come across a delicious plum tree bearing fruit. Mama cub climbs easily to munch on the fruit of her choosing but baby bear is a bit nervous. Instead of grabbing the plum for her little one, Mama Bear offers steady encouragement all along the way. For sometime you may fall but you’ll never know if you can achieve it unless you try.

A sweet and encouraging story with calming illustrations, this book is perfect when your little reader needs some extra motivation.

[Kiera Beddes · Rating 3 out of 5]

In "Sometimes We Fall" by Randall de Sève, a nervous bear cub learns to face their fears while attempting to climb a tree for sweet plums. The story emphasizes the importance of perseverance and resilience, teaching young readers that trying and failing is a natural part of growth.

I really like the message of the story. Perseverance and grit are important skills to instill in children at a young age. This story would be good to read for anxious students, because it might help them process their fears in a healthy way. The big takeaway is that sometimes you fall, and it’s ok. But I don’t think this picture book will be one that students pick up on their own.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of both these artists' work. Sometimes We Fall is a lovely story/meditation on what inspires risk, and why we take them--and what could and sometimes happen when we do. The calm, reassuring tone of the Mama's wisdom is lovely. that the child's desires are normalized and encouraged in the process is a marvelous antidote to certain anxieties. This is a perfect read for the less daring among us.

I love the autumnal colors, further emphasizing cyclic, natural processes, such as learning to climb and reach--and fall. such a wonderful, well-thought-out book.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Randall de Seve newest book is a story about a bear cub who wants a juicy plum but sees only risks in trying to get it. His mother lets him know that sometimes things happen when we take risks. Using minimal text, Seve reminds all of us that taking risks can lead to consequences, biut that may ve better than never taking risks at all. Gardiner beautifully illustrates the book in a style that reminded me of Leo Lioni. With a narrow color pallet, that makes the purple plum really stand out, the reader can see why it was worth the effort.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written in second person, an apprehensive bear cub is reassured by its mother.

A bear climbs into a tree and begins eating ripe plums. Her cub remains below and asks questions, reflecting its fears of failure.

The illustrations were done in gouache and colored pencils.

This picture book expresses the ideas Don't let the fear of failure hold you back and if at first you don't succeed, then try, try, again. It reassures young readers that it's okay to fail and that it's okay to fall and encourages them to take risks and get back up and try again.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small bear faces a big challenge: reaching a tempting plum that feels just out of reach. When he finally tries -and falls - it becomes a gentle reminder that trying (and failing) is part of learning and growing.

Illustrated in warm, autumnal tones, this is a sweet, simple picture book perfect for preschool and kindergarten storytimes. While not particularly groundbreaking, its message of perseverance is comforting and age-appropriate, especially for little ones just beginning to test their limits.

A solid addition for libraries and classrooms looking for gentle encouragement stories.

[Carol Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes We Fall is the perfect book for specific situations -- to be read aloud to a child who has doubts about trying something new, or who has met with challenges of one sort or another. It would also be a great read-aloud to a group. The little bear eventually does get his plum, after hearing his mother's words of wisdom and trying his luck at reaching for it. Lovely illustrations work very well with the story and its message, as well.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little bear is scared to climb into the plum tree with his mother, because what happens if he falls? Mom talks little bear into trying and little bear find the delicious fruit in the tree.

Sometimes we fall. The important thing is to get back up and try again. It is only through trying that you can find the sweet moments in life. Love the beautiful illustrations and simple sentences.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I realize this is about teaching the lesson that sometimes we fall & it's ok...but mom was literally in the tree eating plums the whole time. She couldn't toss one down? No she had to taunt him every time he had a new fear...and eat more plums right in front of him. Drop a plum for the kid and teach him a lesson without endangering his life.

I did like the art work...

[Melanie H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story of a bear cub whose mother is up a tree, eating plums. Bear cub would like plums too, but is scared of climbing, falling, etc, but is consistently encouraged on by Mom until finally, success.

Good for storytime but make sure to talk about the first page as it was incredibly confusing to have the first line be "It's a problem when you want a purple plum, too..."

[Morgan the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the simplicity of this book. The illustrations reminded me of Jorey Hurley and Leo Leonni, which have a similar simple style. It's lovely and quite effective in telling the story, which I appreciated for its quiet way of telling the story. It would be an easy quick and calm story to read in a storytime or at home, with a good message and sweet pictures.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little bear wants the purple plum way up in the tree, but is afraid to climb the tree. It invents all kinds of "what ifs." The mother bear encourages the little one by saying it's okay if fail. It happens. You just try again.

A good message for little ones.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like this bear cub, I’m a worrier whose “what ifs” sometimes hold me back. This sweet story about a little bear desperate to have a juicy, ripe plum, but also terribly afraid of falling, reminds us that falling and failing happens sometimes, and that’s okay.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first time I got this from the library, I was not in the mood for a didactic book but I gave it another try and it wasn't too bad.

So if you're in the mood for a book that will tell children how to respond to things then this is fine.

[Lucy Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book has a great message with absolutely stunning artwork that I would gladly hang on my wall.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gentle, melodic book about trying - even with the recognition that we may wobble, bump, slip, scratch, or fall.

[Becca Ryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I absolutely adore the artwork, however the story was too repetitive.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, sometimes we fall, and it's okay. But that mother didn't really do a great job teaching her cub.

[Sarah Mismash · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about learning to try new things, even if you might mess them up when you do. Added this one to our library!

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story about trying something new, even if you might fail and it might be scary. A very important story about a loving parent/child relationship.

[Amy Winton · Rating 5 out of 5]

cute

Cute short story. Read to my baby nephew and showed him all the pics. I would recommend this book to anyone.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about courage and wanting and being willing to fall. Sweet. Brief. Sparse text and illustrations.

[Suburban Homeschooler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Risk, nerves, bravery

[Tyson Troxel]

Very cute.