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Bear #1
The Bear Ate Your Sandwich
Bear meets sandwich, adventure ensues. . . . A sly classic-in-the-making for fans of Jon Klassen, Peter Brown, and Mo Willems.
By now I think you know what happened to your sandwich.
But you may not know how it happened.
So let me tell you.
It all started with the bear . . .
So begins Julia Sarcone-Roach’s delicious tale of a bear, lost in the city, who happens upon an unattended sandwich in the park. The bear’s journey from forest to city and back home again is full of happy accidents, funny encounters, and sensory delights. The story is so engrossing, it’s not until the very end that we begin to suspect this is a TALL tale.
The wonderfully told story, spectacular illustrations, and surprise ending make this Julia Sarcone-Roach’s best book to date. You’ll want to share it with your friends (and keep a close eye on your lunch).
Praise for The Bear Ate Your
***Winner of an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor Award!***
"This story is mischief-making at its finest. And just like a good sandwich, it's hard to resist." - Book Page
"Charming" — The Wall Street Journal
"While the bear storyline is entertaining in itself, the ending twist will equally delight kids who love to spot untruths, and a second reading for hints as to the narrator’s credibility may well be in order." — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, S tarred review
By now I think you know what happened to your sandwich.
But you may not know how it happened.
So let me tell you.
It all started with the bear . . .
So begins Julia Sarcone-Roach’s delicious tale of a bear, lost in the city, who happens upon an unattended sandwich in the park. The bear’s journey from forest to city and back home again is full of happy accidents, funny encounters, and sensory delights. The story is so engrossing, it’s not until the very end that we begin to suspect this is a TALL tale.
The wonderfully told story, spectacular illustrations, and surprise ending make this Julia Sarcone-Roach’s best book to date. You’ll want to share it with your friends (and keep a close eye on your lunch).
Praise for The Bear Ate Your
***Winner of an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor Award!***
"This story is mischief-making at its finest. And just like a good sandwich, it's hard to resist." - Book Page
"Charming" — The Wall Street Journal
"While the bear storyline is entertaining in itself, the ending twist will equally delight kids who love to spot untruths, and a second reading for hints as to the narrator’s credibility may well be in order." — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, S tarred review
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 6, 2015
25 people are currently reading
1649 people want to read
About the author
Julia Sarcone-Roach
9 books65 followersJulia Sarcone-Roach's animated short Call of the Wild has shown at numerous film festivals around the world. She attended the Rhode Island School of Design. This is her first book. Julia Sarcone-Roach lives in Brooklyn, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 615 reviews
February 15, 2018
This is a curious story about a bear and a missing sandwich. Told by a narrator who wishes to explain how one bear got from the forest into the city and eventually meandered along, finding an untended sandwich, things get quite detailed. Surely this bear was amazed by the city life and especially to find such an appetising sandwich waiting for him. As the reader discovers by the end, the narrator is the most unlikely character who may not be able to convey the tale effectively. Neo liked the story and got a laugh out of this one. We will be sure to look for more by this author soon!
October 10, 2016
Okay, this book is absolutely adorable. It’s great fun and I would recommend it to children, for independent readers and reading aloud to groups and one to one.
I admit that throughout the story I was very concerned for the bear because things don’t go well for bears when they’re in close proximity to human habitats.
But I loved the twist ending, and even before it, I was softly chuckling to myself on many pages.
The best thing about this book is its illustrations. The pictures are lush and beautiful and colorful, with just the right amount of realism.
As a vegan and thinking of vegan children, I was grateful that the contents of the sandwich weren’t revealed (because it would have likely contained animal products) and that berries were the only food specified.
I admit that throughout the story I was very concerned for the bear because things don’t go well for bears when they’re in close proximity to human habitats.
But I loved the twist ending, and even before it, I was softly chuckling to myself on many pages.
The best thing about this book is its illustrations. The pictures are lush and beautiful and colorful, with just the right amount of realism.
As a vegan and thinking of vegan children, I was grateful that the contents of the sandwich weren’t revealed (because it would have likely contained animal products) and that berries were the only food specified.
November 28, 2019
I read at the beginning of the year her new book, Julia, about bear and it was so dang funny. I tried to get it on the goodreads choice awards but there weren’t enough votes for that. Shame. I got this hoping for more of that same sense of humor. This book came out first.
This book is funny and smart, but the one from the 1st of the year was so much better. In this story, bear makes his way into the city and finds plenty to amuse him. I love when the lady is feeding pigeons and she calls bear a pretty kitty. That tickled me. He finds a sandwich and ate it and then finds his way home. We see the narrator at the end defending himself against being the one to eat the sandwich. That was funny. It’s a cute story and Julia has wonderful artwork. Plenty of swirls of color, nice and bright.
The nephew liked that ol’ bear. He liked that it was sneaky. He relates to sneaky, which is probably not a good sign. He gave this 3 stars.
This book is funny and smart, but the one from the 1st of the year was so much better. In this story, bear makes his way into the city and finds plenty to amuse him. I love when the lady is feeding pigeons and she calls bear a pretty kitty. That tickled me. He finds a sandwich and ate it and then finds his way home. We see the narrator at the end defending himself against being the one to eat the sandwich. That was funny. It’s a cute story and Julia has wonderful artwork. Plenty of swirls of color, nice and bright.
The nephew liked that ol’ bear. He liked that it was sneaky. He relates to sneaky, which is probably not a good sign. He gave this 3 stars.
January 23, 2015
This is ADORABLE and I love it.
Recommended for anyone with frustratingly rotten pets or children who try to wheedle their way out of trouble on a regular basis. You'll totally understand this tale of a bear who left the woods, entered the city, and ate your sandwich. At least, most of your sandwich. Scout's honor!
I recommend this to karen, in particular, and here is why:
-It's like a beArIFaF!
-There is a run-in with a yuckoon.
-Pictures like this
and this
-Someone needs to recommend these kinds of books to her now that she doesn't have the opportunity to discover them herself as easily as perhaps she once did.
At any rate, I did a lot of kid-like giggling as I read this. I imagine children will do the same and theirs will be more authentic, what with them being actual kids, and all.
Recommended for anyone with frustratingly rotten pets or children who try to wheedle their way out of trouble on a regular basis. You'll totally understand this tale of a bear who left the woods, entered the city, and ate your sandwich. At least, most of your sandwich. Scout's honor!
I recommend this to karen, in particular, and here is why:
-It's like a beArIFaF!
-There is a run-in with a yuckoon.
-Pictures like this
and this
-Someone needs to recommend these kinds of books to her now that she doesn't have the opportunity to discover them herself as easily as perhaps she once did.
At any rate, I did a lot of kid-like giggling as I read this. I imagine children will do the same and theirs will be more authentic, what with them being actual kids, and all.
January 14, 2015
Clever. Never trust a dog.
March 2, 2015
Unreliable narrator for the win.
5 stars from Emma.
5 stars from Emma.
May 23, 2018
This is an adorable short book that might just ignite the imagination of your little one. I bought it on sale at the bookstore because I fell in love with the illustrations. They're done with acrylic paint and pencil, which is evident with the bright impressionism technique. I'm a huge fan of this style of painting so I enjoyed the illustrations more than the story. But, the story has a cute twist that could generate some good discussion with your child.
I'm anxious to see what my grandchildren think of it. At 8 and 10, this book may be too young for them but they love the art as much as I do, so I'm hoping to paint and draw with them afterward. I'd like teach them this technique. It's a looser style that doesn't have to be exact and will encourage their creativity.
Review by Dorine, book purchased. For more reviews, check out my site, The Zest Quest.
I'm anxious to see what my grandchildren think of it. At 8 and 10, this book may be too young for them but they love the art as much as I do, so I'm hoping to paint and draw with them afterward. I'd like teach them this technique. It's a looser style that doesn't have to be exact and will encourage their creativity.
Review by Dorine, book purchased. For more reviews, check out my site, The Zest Quest.
March 18, 2016
Yesterday, I placed this book on hold at the Library & it was ready for pick up when I arrived for work. The bear's expressive face as he eyes the sandwich on the cover truly draws you in. Sure enough, the other ladies in my office saw it laying on my desk & were curious, so, I said they could each take a turn with it but I was taking it home with me at the end if the day! One is a grandma already and the other in a grandma-in-waiting. They loved it! As do I. The story is enchanting, and the illustrations are vivid and guaranteed to make your mouth curve upwards in a grin. You may even chuckle a time or two! This is a book that both adults and children can enjoy over and over.
Want to read
January 12, 2016I want to read this because that bear looks like my dog.
February 27, 2020
After eating all of the berries in a truck and then falling asleep inside, a bear inadvertently finds himself travelling to the city (or does he?) in this delightfully humorous tale from Julia Sarcone-Roach. Once there, the bear explores the many climbing opportunities, interesting smells, and strange 'trees.' He finds new kinds of fun when he reaches a park, and then he stumbled upon a delicious-looking sandwich... Unable to resist, he gobbles it up before fleeing, eventually finding his way home again.
This entire story, of course, is related to the little girl whose sandwich it was by a helpful little dog, whose 'Ruff, Ruff, Ruff" disguises his tale. Is he an unreliable narrator, whose story is meant to disguise his own theft of the sandwich? Or does the humor lie in the fact that he is unable to communicate his complicated tale to the girl, who only hears his barking? Whatever the case may be, The Bear At Your Sandwich is delightfully amusing, with droll artwork that greatly adds to the entertainment. The cover illustration is one of my favorites, and makes me chuckle, although all of the bear's expressions are deftly captured throughout. Recommended to anyone who enjoys humorous picture-books, especially those with unreliable narrators.
This entire story, of course, is related to the little girl whose sandwich it was by a helpful little dog, whose 'Ruff, Ruff, Ruff" disguises his tale. Is he an unreliable narrator, whose story is meant to disguise his own theft of the sandwich? Or does the humor lie in the fact that he is unable to communicate his complicated tale to the girl, who only hears his barking? Whatever the case may be, The Bear At Your Sandwich is delightfully amusing, with droll artwork that greatly adds to the entertainment. The cover illustration is one of my favorites, and makes me chuckle, although all of the bear's expressions are deftly captured throughout. Recommended to anyone who enjoys humorous picture-books, especially those with unreliable narrators.
May 6, 2017
The Bear Ate Your Sandwich is a super colorful and cute story about a bear who is accidentally transported into the city. As he searches for food he finds happiness after discovering a beautiful and delicious sandwich. The story is left to be told by the the witnesses who catch him in the act.
It's a super simple read for young readers and the illustrations are very vibrant. Great for schools and home.
4****
It's a super simple read for young readers and the illustrations are very vibrant. Great for schools and home.
4****
Read
May 18, 2020Oooooooo mystery
Read with Obamas
Read with Obamas
December 17, 2014
This picture book tells the story of exactly what happened to your sandwich. See, it started with the bear. He was having a great warm, bright morning when he smelled berries. He found a pickup truck filled with berries, which he munched and then fell fast asleep in the back of the truck. When he woke up, he was riding towards a huge city. Now he was in a new forest, but a very different one. He climbed, he scratched, he squished his toes in mud, he investigated. He found a park and that is where he discovered your sandwich sitting on a park bench. He then ran off, scared by the dogs around, climbed aboard a boat and returned to his own forest. It’s all true you see, I saw it all. Don’t you trust me?
The merriment in this picture book is pure joy to share. And the voice that it is written in is so very earnest and honest, willing you with their very words to really believe them. It’s so earnest that you immediately know that this is a voice not to be trusted. But you won’t completely understand who is talking until the very end of the story. The timing of the humor is impeccable, the writing is wonderfully strong and lovely, evoking a forest in an urban setting and letting the bear discover it.
The illustrations have a richness to them. The opening scenes of the bear in the forest play with light and shadows, greens and browns, dappling and shining. It’s all lush and green and beautiful with the black bear anchoring the beauty around him. Along the way there are other moments, particularly the ones where the bear investigates the city and then the lingering moments of him discovering the sandwich, approaching the sandwich, longing for it. It’s all strikingly rendered.
Lush, strong and very funny, this picture book is a delight and just as satisfying as a sandwich for a hungry bear. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
The merriment in this picture book is pure joy to share. And the voice that it is written in is so very earnest and honest, willing you with their very words to really believe them. It’s so earnest that you immediately know that this is a voice not to be trusted. But you won’t completely understand who is talking until the very end of the story. The timing of the humor is impeccable, the writing is wonderfully strong and lovely, evoking a forest in an urban setting and letting the bear discover it.
The illustrations have a richness to them. The opening scenes of the bear in the forest play with light and shadows, greens and browns, dappling and shining. It’s all lush and green and beautiful with the black bear anchoring the beauty around him. Along the way there are other moments, particularly the ones where the bear investigates the city and then the lingering moments of him discovering the sandwich, approaching the sandwich, longing for it. It’s all strikingly rendered.
Lush, strong and very funny, this picture book is a delight and just as satisfying as a sandwich for a hungry bear. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
February 24, 2015
I GET IT, IT WASN'T THE BEAR
April 28, 2015
I originally had this listed as a four star, but after reading it to some kids, I had to change it to five. I love the discussion that it has generated.
April 11, 2016
Sweet, witty, adorable!
The bear ate your sandwich, didn't he???
Great twist, unreliable narrator <3
The bear ate your sandwich, didn't he???
Great twist, unreliable narrator <3
December 15, 2020
Very cute, with wonderful acrylic & pencil art. Now I want a sandwich.
By now I think you know what happened to your sandwich. But you may not know how it happened. So let me tell you.
It all started with the bear.
August 26, 2014
"By now I think you know what happened to your
sandwich. But you may not know how it happened.
So let me tell you.
It all started with the bear."
The sandwich is gone. Do you want to know what happened to it? A bear ate it! Yes, that's right. A bear that stumbled across a truck full of berries, who then ate the berries and fell asleep in the back of the truck. That is how the bear traveled to the city, where he happen to come across your sandwich, out there, in the open, lying on a bench, completely unprotected! And he ate it. And he LOVED it! But then he kind of got home sick and decided to find his way back to the forest. That's exactly what happened.
The Bear Ate Your Sandwich is a hugely entertaining children's book with a hilarious twist at the end. A twist I completely didn't see coming and one that had me laughing out loud! Really, it's quite brilliant. Both kids and parents will appreciate this delightful, charming little story. The illustrations are really beautiful, too. They're funny and they compliment the plot perfectly. The quality of the illustrations is really quite amazing. They were done using acrylic paint and pencil, and they really stand out among other children's books out there.
The Bear Ate Your Sandwich is a real gem. It'll bring a big smile to your child's face for sure. Can't imagine any kid not oohing and aaahing and then laughing loudly at bear's adventures in the city. Still, the best part is the ending, and I promise you, both you and your child will love it!
sandwich. But you may not know how it happened.
So let me tell you.
It all started with the bear."
The sandwich is gone. Do you want to know what happened to it? A bear ate it! Yes, that's right. A bear that stumbled across a truck full of berries, who then ate the berries and fell asleep in the back of the truck. That is how the bear traveled to the city, where he happen to come across your sandwich, out there, in the open, lying on a bench, completely unprotected! And he ate it. And he LOVED it! But then he kind of got home sick and decided to find his way back to the forest. That's exactly what happened.
The Bear Ate Your Sandwich is a hugely entertaining children's book with a hilarious twist at the end. A twist I completely didn't see coming and one that had me laughing out loud! Really, it's quite brilliant. Both kids and parents will appreciate this delightful, charming little story. The illustrations are really beautiful, too. They're funny and they compliment the plot perfectly. The quality of the illustrations is really quite amazing. They were done using acrylic paint and pencil, and they really stand out among other children's books out there.
The Bear Ate Your Sandwich is a real gem. It'll bring a big smile to your child's face for sure. Can't imagine any kid not oohing and aaahing and then laughing loudly at bear's adventures in the city. Still, the best part is the ending, and I promise you, both you and your child will love it!
April 29, 2016
I've read this book to 14 classes and I'm not sick of it. That's always a good sign of a winner. I love the imagery and irony created between the text and the words. Not to mention the gorgeous illustrations. The bear falls asleep after eating the berries in a truck that transports him like a "leaf in a river" to a place with "high cliffs." The image of a red truck on a highway that looks like the current of a river and skyscrapers that are cliffs is beautiful. The bear likes the itchy trees (lightposts) and squishy mud (wet cement). He's having a hard time finding food because of competition from other animals until he spots your sandwich on the bench. There is an interesting and unusual shift in point of view (POV) to the second person. The bear creeps up to the sandwich and is spied by dogs in a doggie day care or dog run. The dog is telling the story to the girl whose sandwich is missing. Kids can turn and talk to try and understand what the end means. Changing the POV makes the reader the protagonist and creates a twist in interpreting the ending. The students came up with several interpretations regarding communication between pets and owners. Most thought the girl didn't understand that dog because of the "ruffs" at the end. Others went further and said the dog made-up the entire story to cover eating the sandwich himself. It is a fun book. This went better as a read aloud with grade 1 than kindergarten.
June 18, 2016
I can definitely see the appeal. I love the 'surprise' ending, which is the premise (justification?) for all that went before. But the text is just a little long, and the pictures a little blurry/ impressionistic/ insufficiently clear to me to be able to see the details that I wanted to see. So, my opinion, 2.5 stars, recommended only if you actually are interested and can get it at your library.
July 10, 2015
Great mentor text for perspective and narrative! The unreliable narrator provides a laugh out loud twist at the end.
September 24, 2017
Cute premise about what happened to your sandwich that had been there just a minute ago...
January 25, 2015
When you are the oldest child in the family, blame for seemingly everything lands squarely on your shoulders. It's obvious you can't point the finger at a younger sibling when the mishap in question involves writing or reading and they can't do either yet. (In one of my not-the-sharpest-tack-in-the-box moments, I tried this very thing.) When it comes to the disappearance of all the chocolate chips from the package it's an entirely different story. Anyone can accomplish this feat, even if they are too short to reach the cupboard.
As I have mentioned before if it gets to the point when no one is willing to take responsibility, the "ghost" is blamed. The Bear Ate Your Sandwich (Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, January 6, 2015) written and illustrated by Julia Sarcone-Roach is about a bear's apparent quest for an irresistible meal. Anyone who has watched Yogi Bear running, jumping and swinging his way around Jellystone Park knows bears simply can't help themselves when it comes to lunch boxes and picnic baskets. Right?
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
As I have mentioned before if it gets to the point when no one is willing to take responsibility, the "ghost" is blamed. The Bear Ate Your Sandwich (Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, January 6, 2015) written and illustrated by Julia Sarcone-Roach is about a bear's apparent quest for an irresistible meal. Anyone who has watched Yogi Bear running, jumping and swinging his way around Jellystone Park knows bears simply can't help themselves when it comes to lunch boxes and picnic baskets. Right?
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
July 15, 2025
I get a kick out of this one. I just hear the narrator's voice being so matter of fact, "yup yup, that's what happened!" and it just makes me smile. The illustrations are lovely, with lots of little details showing what the bear's getting up to in the 'new forest.' His facial expressions, especially the eyes, are too cute.
Read this one for a storytime on bears and would certainly read it again. The kids liked the ending as much as I did. Would make for a fun one-on-one read as well.
Thinking about it again, this one would be a fun one to include in a lesson/storytime on POV and unreliable narrators (not that you'd explain it to 3 year olds that way). Pair with The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs and similar books.
Read this one for a storytime on bears and would certainly read it again. The kids liked the ending as much as I did. Would make for a fun one-on-one read as well.
Thinking about it again, this one would be a fun one to include in a lesson/storytime on POV and unreliable narrators (not that you'd explain it to 3 year olds that way). Pair with The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs and similar books.
Read
October 29, 2018Text-To-Teaching Connection
The response activity for this book could be a creative collage. Students would be given a brown paper bag that references a lunch bag. The students will have the opportunity to cut pictures from magazines that would represent sandwiches and other lunch items that they can choose from. It would be a good activity for students to express the different ideas that they think lunch represents to them. If a students wants to be even more creative they could apply items that bears eat to the paper bag instead.
The response activity for this book could be a creative collage. Students would be given a brown paper bag that references a lunch bag. The students will have the opportunity to cut pictures from magazines that would represent sandwiches and other lunch items that they can choose from. It would be a good activity for students to express the different ideas that they think lunch represents to them. If a students wants to be even more creative they could apply items that bears eat to the paper bag instead.
August 13, 2018
But did the bear really eat the sandwich?? A fun and clever little story.
Ages: 4 - 8
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
Ages: 4 - 8
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
July 27, 2016
This book was gorgeous and had me laughing out loud at the end. Can't wait to share it with the kiddos!
The beautifully smudgy, colorful, dreamy art pulled me in from the beginning. and as my (19-year-old) niece pointed out, the sandwiches on the front end papers are amazing, and made us both hungry!
The beautifully smudgy, colorful, dreamy art pulled me in from the beginning. and as my (19-year-old) niece pointed out, the sandwiches on the front end papers are amazing, and made us both hungry!
July 1, 2019
What happened to your sandwich? Well, it may be hard to believe but a bear found his way from the forest to the city, wandered into the park and ate your sandwich then headed back to the forest.
The illustrations make this really fun and adorable. And so many city people don't even notice the bear right in front of them.
The illustrations make this really fun and adorable. And so many city people don't even notice the bear right in front of them.
June 29, 2016
Julia Sarcone-Roach did a beautiful job with The Bear Ate Your Sandwich. Bright, deftly drawn illustrations make it pop, while its meandering story line sucks its readers in. Silly and lovely at the same time, this one will make a great read aloud. Highly recommended.
February 14, 2015
This is cute, and the final twist is perfect. However, I don't think it's a "classic in the making."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 615 reviews