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Welcome Home, Bear
Follow Bear as he visits animal habitats around the world—and comes to appreciate his own home—in this new offering from the creator of A Book of Sleep and A Book of Babies.
Bear is tired of waking up every morning in the same green forest, so he decides to search for a new place to live. He visits the birds in the trees, a mole underground, a camel in the hot desert sand, puffins in the cold arctic snow . . . only to realize his own home is the perfect place for him after all. Welcome Home, Bear offers rich illustrations, bright colors, and a simple, spare text—all wrapped up in a beautiful, kid-friendly package. Readers meet animals in their habitats around the world—and return with Bear to the one place he is truly happy.
Bear is tired of waking up every morning in the same green forest, so he decides to search for a new place to live. He visits the birds in the trees, a mole underground, a camel in the hot desert sand, puffins in the cold arctic snow . . . only to realize his own home is the perfect place for him after all. Welcome Home, Bear offers rich illustrations, bright colors, and a simple, spare text—all wrapped up in a beautiful, kid-friendly package. Readers meet animals in their habitats around the world—and return with Bear to the one place he is truly happy.
24 pages, Board Book
First published July 7, 2015
About the author
Il Sung Na
20 books96 followersBorn in Seoul, South Korea, Il Sung Na studied illustration at Kingston University in London. He currently lives in Kansas City, Missouri, in the USA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
January 27, 2018
One day, as Bear is laying in the forest, he wonders about finding a new (and more exciting) place to live. This takes him to many of the habitats his friends call home: trees, deserts, ice floes, and even underground. While they are all nice, none of them are where Bear feels he truly belongs. It is then that Bear realizes something important... he has the perfect home already. Neo liked to see all the animals in their various habitats, laughing at the idea of a brown bear living there. Still, it all comes together nicely in the end and Neo felt Bear chose the best option.
January 2, 2021
This cute bear 🐻 after visiting all his friends,
He knew just where he wanted to be,
so welcome home bear,
your cozy place under the blue sky.
Very nice story ~💜🐻💜
02.01.2021
He knew just where he wanted to be,
so welcome home bear,
your cozy place under the blue sky.
Very nice story ~💜🐻💜
02.01.2021
February 23, 2017
“Welcome Home, Bear" has a simple (and familiar) storyline about an animal that leaves its habitat. It is accompanied with some decent artwork and some of the pictures are humourous, showing this Bear dancing across the sand with sweat coming off its head in the desert.
We (my child) did really like it, but I didn’t find it to be the most accurate or educational and Il Sung Na made an awkward omission by calling Bear simply, well, "Bear."
As the Polar Bear (who is very much a bear) in this book illustrates, there are a variety of different bears that live in very different habitats. The Sun bear (which is not featured in this book) tends to live in tropical, evergreen forests. The Giant Panda (who is not truly a bear) lives in parts of China where bamboo flourish. There are also bears that I believe do live in arid, desert-like conditions. (The Mexican Grizzly was an example, but they are now extinct.)
Without calling Bear "Inland Brown Bear," or "Grizzly Bear," we can't be sure that Bear would not necessarily want to live in every habitat mentioned. Clearly some bears do like cold habitats or tropical areas. Indeed, if we are talking a Grizzly, it would probably not be that severely offended by the tundra; and, while it perhaps does not love having to climb cliffs, I doubt all bears are as intimidated by cliffs as the author suggests. We do have some bears here after all and there are lots of mountains here.. and also lots of rain. Then again, most bears also climb trees and probably don't mind a little dirt in their nose. I’m being a bit sarcastic here, if you can’t tell, but the author is probably correct that high branches or small burrows are not a grown bear’s favourite place to sleep.
A little more thoughtfulness in putting this book together would have made it more correct and a better example to kids about animal habitats and bear qualities.
We (my child) did really like it, but I didn’t find it to be the most accurate or educational and Il Sung Na made an awkward omission by calling Bear simply, well, "Bear."
As the Polar Bear (who is very much a bear) in this book illustrates, there are a variety of different bears that live in very different habitats. The Sun bear (which is not featured in this book) tends to live in tropical, evergreen forests. The Giant Panda (who is not truly a bear) lives in parts of China where bamboo flourish. There are also bears that I believe do live in arid, desert-like conditions. (The Mexican Grizzly was an example, but they are now extinct.)
Without calling Bear "Inland Brown Bear," or "Grizzly Bear," we can't be sure that Bear would not necessarily want to live in every habitat mentioned. Clearly some bears do like cold habitats or tropical areas. Indeed, if we are talking a Grizzly, it would probably not be that severely offended by the tundra; and, while it perhaps does not love having to climb cliffs, I doubt all bears are as intimidated by cliffs as the author suggests. We do have some bears here after all and there are lots of mountains here.. and also lots of rain. Then again, most bears also climb trees and probably don't mind a little dirt in their nose. I’m being a bit sarcastic here, if you can’t tell, but the author is probably correct that high branches or small burrows are not a grown bear’s favourite place to sleep.
A little more thoughtfulness in putting this book together would have made it more correct and a better example to kids about animal habitats and bear qualities.
July 8, 2015
A fiction book with real information that is intended for young readers - love the combo!
Bear wants a new home, but what type of home is good for a bear?
Great for discussing why animals live in certain habitats/adaptation.
Bear wants a new home, but what type of home is good for a bear?
Great for discussing why animals live in certain habitats/adaptation.
July 24, 2015
Loved the illustrations in this one but would have loved to see even a 2 page spread with facts about the habitats shown in the story.
February 4, 2020
Bear discovers that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence in this picture-book exploration of various habitats. Growing bored with his own home one day, our ursine hero sets out to visit his friends, from Octopus to Polar Bear, finding himself in various environments that prove uncomfortable for him. Eventually he decides that he wants some place that is "not too high, not too stuffy, not too steep, not too deep, not too cold, hot, rainy, or muddy." In short, he wants the place that is just right for him: home...
Although I am not sure that Welcome Home, Bear: A Book of Animal Habitats would actually make that good of an introduction to various habitats and ecosystems - there isn't really anything here about those habitats, save how Bear reacts to them - I did find this books sweet. As an admirer, moreover, of expatriate Korean illustrator Il Sung Na's work, I also enjoyed the multimedia artwork, which depicts Bear's reactions to his animal friends' various homes with humor. Recommended to fellow fans of Na, as well as to young picture-book audiences who enjoy animal stories.
Although I am not sure that Welcome Home, Bear: A Book of Animal Habitats would actually make that good of an introduction to various habitats and ecosystems - there isn't really anything here about those habitats, save how Bear reacts to them - I did find this books sweet. As an admirer, moreover, of expatriate Korean illustrator Il Sung Na's work, I also enjoyed the multimedia artwork, which depicts Bear's reactions to his animal friends' various homes with humor. Recommended to fellow fans of Na, as well as to young picture-book audiences who enjoy animal stories.
November 7, 2017
This seemingly "simple," 22 page, Board Book contains not only a message of there being "no place like home," but also a science lesson. As Bear goes looking for a new home, he experiences what and where the other animals call home; bird's nest high a tree, mole's stuffy, dirt tunnels, and Polar Bear's icy, cold snow.
Using bold colors and paper collage, each two-page spread provides a captivating look at each of the other animal's habitats. After Bear discovers his friend's homes are too high, stuffy, steep, deep, cold, hot, rainy, or muddy, he "knew just where he wanted to be." This is a great STEM book for starting conversations about animal habitats, what makes a home, and where a bear really belongs.
Using bold colors and paper collage, each two-page spread provides a captivating look at each of the other animal's habitats. After Bear discovers his friend's homes are too high, stuffy, steep, deep, cold, hot, rainy, or muddy, he "knew just where he wanted to be." This is a great STEM book for starting conversations about animal habitats, what makes a home, and where a bear really belongs.
February 15, 2016
Cute book about habitats that can easily lead to a discussion about why each of the places Bear visits isn't the right place for him. Simple with fun illustrations. Some nonfiction facts about each of the other habitats would have been a nice addition.
September 14, 2019
Using this one to introduce animal habitats as we begin our research on our school database, PebbleGo. Illustrations are appealing and story is just the right length for my K-1 group to read twice as we then match each habitat to our word chart.
January 29, 2015
Bear has been waking up to the same old forest and blue sky day after day, so he decides that he may need to find a new home. He sets off first to climb up a tree to see Bird’s home, but it was too high. Mole’s underground tunnels were stuffy and full of dirt. Goat’s cliff was too dizzying. Octopus’ underwater home was too deep. Polar Bear’s icy home was too cold. Camel’s desert was too hot on his paws. There were more that were too wet and too muddy. Bear was very sad. Where could he live that was just right for him?
Told in humorous and short lines, this picture book explore animal habitats in a lighthearted way. Bear’s exploration shows the differences in the needs of the animals in a subtle way, focusing more on Bear’s reaction to the places in the world. Bear is a great protagonist for this, since readers know from the very first page where he should be living and how different it is from the many places he visits.
Bear’s discomfort with each new habitat is delightfully illustrated to create humorous moments. From being squirted by a surprised octopus to Bear’s evident hatred of deep mud, the book is fast-paced and funny. The illustrations though are far from just being silly. They are lovely too. The habitats are beautifully depicted from the golden desert sand to the lushness of the rain forest. Each page and the animals themselves are textured and have a depth of color that is gorgeous. The final page of the dejected Bear heading back home with his shadow long on the ground is particularly lovely.
A lighthearted and richly illustrated look at animals and their habitats all through the eyes of one adventurous bear. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Told in humorous and short lines, this picture book explore animal habitats in a lighthearted way. Bear’s exploration shows the differences in the needs of the animals in a subtle way, focusing more on Bear’s reaction to the places in the world. Bear is a great protagonist for this, since readers know from the very first page where he should be living and how different it is from the many places he visits.
Bear’s discomfort with each new habitat is delightfully illustrated to create humorous moments. From being squirted by a surprised octopus to Bear’s evident hatred of deep mud, the book is fast-paced and funny. The illustrations though are far from just being silly. They are lovely too. The habitats are beautifully depicted from the golden desert sand to the lushness of the rain forest. Each page and the animals themselves are textured and have a depth of color that is gorgeous. The final page of the dejected Bear heading back home with his shadow long on the ground is particularly lovely.
A lighthearted and richly illustrated look at animals and their habitats all through the eyes of one adventurous bear. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
September 7, 2015
Bear isn't feeling quite so happy in his forest home anymore, so he decides to wander off to visit some friends around the world. Will Bear feel just as home out there? Read WELCOME HOME, BEAR, to find out what happens on his adventures!
Young readers will learn all about where a variety of Bear's friends live, including Mole, Goat, Polar Bear, and Camel. It's obvious just how different the environment is where each animal lives, and readers will take away an appreciation for these differences and how every animal, both bears and humans, needs certain things to feel at home. There are plenty of opportunities for discussion and questions, and even activities and crafts based on the book. Teachers and librarians will find this book an especially great storytime choice
The illustrations are vibrant and rich in color and detail. Digital painting techniques create a natural look with fun colors that really pop off the page. With a consistent font tying down the narrative, the author takes the liberty of moving the text around the page as it suits the bear's activities, which is a fun addition to the illustrations.
Highly recommended for young animal lovers as well as teachers and librarians, WELCOME HOME, BEAR is another fantastic book from the author of A BOOK OF SLEEP and A BOOK OF BABIES.
Young readers will learn all about where a variety of Bear's friends live, including Mole, Goat, Polar Bear, and Camel. It's obvious just how different the environment is where each animal lives, and readers will take away an appreciation for these differences and how every animal, both bears and humans, needs certain things to feel at home. There are plenty of opportunities for discussion and questions, and even activities and crafts based on the book. Teachers and librarians will find this book an especially great storytime choice
The illustrations are vibrant and rich in color and detail. Digital painting techniques create a natural look with fun colors that really pop off the page. With a consistent font tying down the narrative, the author takes the liberty of moving the text around the page as it suits the bear's activities, which is a fun addition to the illustrations.
Highly recommended for young animal lovers as well as teachers and librarians, WELCOME HOME, BEAR is another fantastic book from the author of A BOOK OF SLEEP and A BOOK OF BABIES.
Read
November 14, 2017Follow Bear as he visits animal habitats around the world--and comes to appreciate his own home--in this new offering from the creator of A Book of Sleep and A Book of Babies.
Bear is tired of waking up every morning in the same green forest, so he decides to search for a new place to live. He visits the birds in the trees, a mole underground, a camel in the hot desert sand, puffins in the cold arctic snow . . . only to realize his own home is the perfect place for him after all. Welcome Home, Bear offers rich illustrations, bright colors, and a simple, spare text, and all wrapped up in a beautiful, kid-friendly package. Readers meet animals in their habitats around the world, and return with Bear to the one place he is truly happy.
Notes
Originally from South Korea, IL SUNG NA studied illustration at Kingston University in London. A Book of Sleep was his first picture book, followed by The Thingamabob; Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit; Hide & Seek; and A Book of Babies. To learn more about Il Sung Na and his work, please visit IlSungNa.com.
Bear is tired of waking up every morning in the same green forest, so he decides to search for a new place to live. He visits the birds in the trees, a mole underground, a camel in the hot desert sand, puffins in the cold arctic snow . . . only to realize his own home is the perfect place for him after all. Welcome Home, Bear offers rich illustrations, bright colors, and a simple, spare text, and all wrapped up in a beautiful, kid-friendly package. Readers meet animals in their habitats around the world, and return with Bear to the one place he is truly happy.
Notes
Originally from South Korea, IL SUNG NA studied illustration at Kingston University in London. A Book of Sleep was his first picture book, followed by The Thingamabob; Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit; Hide & Seek; and A Book of Babies. To learn more about Il Sung Na and his work, please visit IlSungNa.com.
September 3, 2015
Fabulous book for younger students to introduce the idea of habitats. Bear gets tired of where he lives so he sets off to find a new home. Each one does not suit him and he goes on. I think you may guess the ending as bear finds just where he want to be. The text is well written and tells you the problem with each habitat in an illustrative way, which allows for students to draw their own conclusions about what makes each not suitable for bear. As an example, " He decided to find the hippos but there was mud everywhere!"
The illustrations are absolutely fabulous. The color and the detail invite the reader to just spend some time with each as they enjoy the text.
This is a book that one should have in their library collection.
This book is great for younger readers as you introduce the concept of habitat and for the more mature readers as a way to focus on research and habitats and what makes them work for the animals who live there.
The illustrations are absolutely fabulous. The color and the detail invite the reader to just spend some time with each as they enjoy the text.
This is a book that one should have in their library collection.
This book is great for younger readers as you introduce the concept of habitat and for the more mature readers as a way to focus on research and habitats and what makes them work for the animals who live there.
December 24, 2017
Great simple book for kids. Bold colors and whimsical designs in the illustrations, even the words were written in a fun way.
Sometimes we think we are tired of the same thing over and over in our lives and head out to search for something new, something better, only to return home and realize maybe we like where we are after all. Don’t underestimate the comfort of home.
This book teaches kids about animal habitats as this bear roams around visiting friends to try and find a different home and the resulting discomfort for the bear was a little comical. One picture showed the bear clinging to the bottom of a tree branch with a nervous look on his face. Some habitats were too high, or stuffy, or steep, or muddy. I would have liked more detailed descriptions (besides one sentence) of each habitat to teach my young kids. Sometimes we don’t know how good we have it until we walk away for a while and come back with a newfound appreciation.
Sometimes we think we are tired of the same thing over and over in our lives and head out to search for something new, something better, only to return home and realize maybe we like where we are after all. Don’t underestimate the comfort of home.
This book teaches kids about animal habitats as this bear roams around visiting friends to try and find a different home and the resulting discomfort for the bear was a little comical. One picture showed the bear clinging to the bottom of a tree branch with a nervous look on his face. Some habitats were too high, or stuffy, or steep, or muddy. I would have liked more detailed descriptions (besides one sentence) of each habitat to teach my young kids. Sometimes we don’t know how good we have it until we walk away for a while and come back with a newfound appreciation.
January 22, 2015
I seriously just added this to my "to read list" yesterday after visiting Il Sung Na's website and saw that he had a new title coming out...then, today, here it is on Edelweiss...such a good day! I'm a huge fan of Na's stuff and this is no exception. Fantastic illustrations, great text this would make an excellent addition to any school, library or home collection.
March 9, 2018
I like this story. The repetition with variation style works well, and the pictures are cute and interesting. It doesn't work with the welcome theme I was hoping for (because there's no emphasis on welcoming bear back home, that just happens at the very end and is unspoken), but I will still use this book. 5+
November 28, 2018
Copyright: 2015
Genre: Picture book
This is a story of how a bear gets annoyed of living in the same old place and so decided to find a new home, in the end he comes around to his home and decided that home is the best place to be. I would say this is a book for little kids maybe pre-k - k. I would read this book as a opener for students to tell about their homes and where they are from.
Genre: Picture book
This is a story of how a bear gets annoyed of living in the same old place and so decided to find a new home, in the end he comes around to his home and decided that home is the best place to be. I would say this is a book for little kids maybe pre-k - k. I would read this book as a opener for students to tell about their homes and where they are from.
July 13, 2015
Grades K-2. Bear lives in the forest but decides he needs a new home. He visits friends who live in places unsuitable for a bear. A very basic book to get kids thinking about how animals have adaptations to help them live in different biomes.
July 14, 2015
I am giving this one star because this exact story has already been written and published. See: Purple Little Bird.
July 14, 2015
Bear explores other animals' homes, only to find his own just right for him. As Katie Fitzgerald pointed out, storyline is like Purple Little Bird
July 22, 2015
Beautiful book with delightful art! I love the simple text that furthers the story but also teaches about animal homes.
"He swam to Octopus (who was surprised to see him!), but the ocean was too deep."
And there's Bear with octopus ink all over his face. Awesome!
"He swam to Octopus (who was surprised to see him!), but the ocean was too deep."
And there's Bear with octopus ink all over his face. Awesome!
July 30, 2015
Gorgeous illustrations accompany Bear as he tours different animal habitats looking for a new home, only to discover his is the best for him. Lovely & gentle introduction to the concept of habitats for young children. Highly recommended.
September 28, 2015
Il Sung Na has some of the most gorgeous illustrations I've ever seen in any children's book. I want to put his art all over my walls. And this one's about bears! Great book for a unit on animals or habitats.
October 14, 2016
one of the best books for my daughter that i can keep on reading over and over again, the art is beautiful with cute and funny depictions of bear when he tries to find his new home. plenty of vibrant colors to keep both of us entertained
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December 1, 2017(AR level: 2.4, AR points: 0.5, Lexile: 550)
Tiring of the appearance of his green forest surroundings, Bear visits sumptuously illustrated habitats of animals from around the world before realizing his own home is the perfect place for him after all. - Summary from AR Bookfinder
Tiring of the appearance of his green forest surroundings, Bear visits sumptuously illustrated habitats of animals from around the world before realizing his own home is the perfect place for him after all. - Summary from AR Bookfinder
March 6, 2018
Bear decides he wants to go somewhere else to live. He tries visiting the bird, the octopus, the hippos, the polar bears etc. Everything is too hot, too cold, too high, too wet, too muddy. Finally, he gets tired and just wants to rest and he knows the perfect spot. Home.
August 2, 2018
Bear decides he wants to find an new home and travels to other animal's homes to try them out. After being miserable in other animal's homes, bear decides his original home is best. Simple sentences and funny illustrations make this picture book a great storytime story.
July 7, 2015
Tired of his home, Bear visits animals in other habitats around the world before deciding he likes his own best.
July 22, 2015
Beautiful tour of animal habitats as Bear searches for a new home. A terrific book to use in a primary classroom studying the subject or as a lap book where time can be taken with each page.
July 31, 2015
A wonderfully touching story about a bear seeking just the right place to call home. Beautiful illustrations showcase different animal friends and their habitats. Loved this story!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews