Der kleine Eisbär und der Angsthase

Kleine IJsbeer

by Hans de Beer

Book by de Beer, Hans

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, German Literature, Friendship, School

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Hans de Beer was born in Muiden, a small town near Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. He began to draw when he went to school, mostly when the lessons got too boring. In college, he studied history, but he was drawing so many pictures during the lectures that he decided to become an artist. He went on to study illustration at the Rietveld Academy of Art in Amsterdam. Hans de Beer's Little Polar Bear books enjoy great international success and have been published in eighteen languages in 27 countries.

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Little Polar Bear and the Brave Hare is another cute addition to the Little Polar Bear series. I adore the illustrations in these books. Lars makes a new friend in this book - Hugo the Hare. Hugo is very timid and scares easily with unfamiliar things. When Lars is in danger, Hugo saves the day with quick thinking and without a fear in sight. This book is very relatable to children and a great book to start a discussion with too.

[CYIReadBooks (Claire) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Polar Bear and the Brave Little Hare is such a cute story about friendship, and how friends can be in different shapes and sizes.

Written in simple prose, Little Polar Bear is the perfect bedtime story for preschoolers. The illustrations are not only adorable, they are so detailed as well.

Not only is Little Polar Bear the perfect bedtime story, it is also a nice and simple introduction to the action and adventure genre. Animated readers will have a fun time embellishing the story with dramatic sound effects. At least, I would have a grand time doing so. Five stars!

I received a digital ARC from North South Books through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

[معصومه توکلی · Rating 3 out of 5]

داستانی دربارهٔ دوستی، شجاعت و حل مسأله با تصویرگری خوب.

[Amir · Rating 3 out of 5]

نقاشی‌هاش قشنگه.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated story about two friends who are trying to survive amidst the wold adventures and everyday struggles.

The artwork is so beautiful and so well done.
The storytelling is okay but I feel the presentation can be better suited for the target audience.

It reads like a short animation cartoon which I really appreciate.

Thank you, North South Books Inc, for the advance reading copy.

[Raegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received this book for free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

A simple story!

The illustrations are great. The book is a little wordy. It shows that what you give is what you get. If your kid likes the winter scene and stories about friendship, I am sure they will like it alright.

[Neda · Rating 4 out of 5]

محبت بدون توقع رو خیلی ساده و قشنگ نشون می داد بدون اینکه اغراقی داشته باشه و از حدش بزنه بیرون. نقاشی های کتاب هم خیلی چشم نواز و شیرین بود.

[Samin Anvari · Rating 5 out of 5]

به نظرم مفاهیم دوستی، شجاعت و مدیریت بحران رو به خوبی و سادگی بیان کرده بود

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lars the little polar bear returns in this fourth picture-book devoted to his ongoing adventures. When he hears a whimpering noise one day, our ursine hero discovers a little white hare named Hugo trapped in a hole, and helps the creature out. The two become fast friends, and enjoy playing together, but when Lars himself gets into trouble, trapped in the nearby human power stations, after foraging for a snack, it falls to little Hugo to rescue his friend in return...

Originally published in Switzerland as Der kleine Eisbär und der Angsthase (literally: "The Little Polar Bear and the Scaredy-Hare"), this entry in author/illustrator Hans de Beer's ongoing series about Lars and his adventures departs from its predecessors, in that its eponymous hero isn't accidentally carried far from his home, as he was in those others. The story here is fairly gentle, but also appealing, with an adventure that is exciting, but never that frightening. The artwork, as is always the case, is adorable. Recommended to fans of Lars, and to anyone looking for picture-books about polar bears.

[Motahare Ghaderi · Rating 5 out of 5]

در ستایش دوستی
تصویرپردازی ها فوق العاده ان

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 sterren - thema's Moed, elkaar helpen.
Lars heeft een nieuw avontuur met Hugo de sneeuwhaas. Lars en Hugo hebben veel plezier samen maar Lars vindt Hugo maar een bange sneeuwhaas. Is dat waar? Of blijkt dat alles toch anders is dan eerst gedacht?
Mijn kleinkinderen Jayden en Zhyvaya hebben van dit boek erg genoten. En oma dus ook. Nu is het verhaal uit zwerven gegaan naar andere kinderen.

[Nora || نورا · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a cute short story! Absolutely loved the illustrations, they were adorable! Suitable for children (or an adult like me) with lovely messages.

[Britt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free e-ARC of Little Polar Bear and the Brave Little Hare.

It is a cute story about polar bear Lars and hare Hugo who help each other when they got in trouble. The ARC drew my attention because of the Dutch author. I was not familiar with him but being Dutch myself it is always nice to see a Dutch story being translated into another language.

I'd recommend this picture book if you are looking for a book about friendship and altruism.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the adventures of Lars the Little Polar Bear. He is off on another adventure, helping Hugo the little Hare that is lost. Not only do you have an adventure in helping a new friend but also where Lars lives. The illustration are vivid and are sure to help the imagination of young readers. These are the kind of books that make lovers of reading.

A special thank you to North South Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[Alyssashelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc. This story is about friends trying to survive during their everyday struggles. The illustrations were beautiful I definitely enjoyed this book and I feel like other adults would also

[Random Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two unlikely friends learn to rely on each other.
This is a beautiful story about friendship and trust found in an unlikely place.

[Cheyenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet book about a polar bear named Lars, who helps an Arctic hare who was trapped in a hole. On their way home they end up in a bit of trouble at a research station, but eventually find their way home and become good friends. The illustrations are so pretty!

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

ik von dit boek 5×zo leuk

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable children's book centering around friendship and teamwork. Lars makes a new friend when he saves a timid artic hair. But when Lars is in trouble the timid hate has to show how brave he can be to help his friend. Beautifully illustrated.

[Souly Peerage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lars ist ein wundervoller Charakter und gutes Beispiel um Kindern den Umgang mit Angst und anderen die Angst haben, näher zu bringen. Außerdem ist er unheimlich liebenswert.

[Atiyeh]

Little Polar Bear & the Brave Little Hare is a heartwarming tale of unlikely friendship, courage, and teamwork in the frozen Arctic. Written and illustrated by Hans de Beer, this charming picture book continues the adventures of the beloved Little Polar Bear, Lars, in a story that gently encourages bravery and understanding between those who seem very different.

In this instalment, Lars meets Hugo, a timid but determined little hare who is trying to find his way back to his burrow. At first glance, the two animals couldn’t be more different—Lars is confident and strong, while Hugo is nervous and hesitant. But as their journey unfolds, they must rely on each other to face icy rivers, hungry predators, and unfamiliar terrain. Through their adventure, Hugo discovers his courage, and both characters learn the value of mutual support.

Hans de Beer’s storytelling is simple, sincere, and filled with warmth. The plot moves at a gentle pace, making it perfect for bedtime or quiet reading, while still providing enough excitement to keep young readers engaged. The themes of bravery, friendship, and self-discovery are delivered with subtlety and heart.

The illustrations are classic Hans de Beer: soft watercolours that beautifully evoke the wintry Arctic landscape. Lars and Hugo are drawn with expressive detail, making their emotions easily readable for young children. The snowy backdrops are serene yet dynamic, capturing both the harshness and beauty of the polar world.

Ideal For: Children aged 3–7, especially fans of animal adventures, gentle stories about friendship, or the Little Polar Bear series.

Verdict:

Little Polar Bear & the Brave Little Hare is a tender and beautifully illustrated story that celebrates quiet bravery and the power of friendship. Hans de Beer once again offers young readers a comforting tale wrapped in snowy magic and heartfelt emotion.

[Timmys buchwelt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ich war als kleines Kind sehr begeistert beim der kleine Eisbär kucken. Deshalb war ich hin und weg, als ich erfuhr, dass es ein Buch dazu gibt. Ich wollte das Buch deshalb unbedingt als Lieblingsbuch bezeichnen. Doch dem war nicht so. Ich hatte es auch nicht abgebrochen, weil es so kurz ist. Somit hatte ich es dann doch fertig gelesen.

Es hat mir einfach nicht gefallen,wie es geschrieben war. Denn der Schreibstil war meiner Meinung nach wie ein Kindergarten-Niveau. Das gefiel mir einfach nicht. Denn meiner Meinung nach passte es nicht dazu. Andererseits könnte es daran liegen, dass man Vergangenes immer Besser darstellt, als es war. Dann kommt noch dazu, dass ich nicht mehr in der Zielgruppe bin.

Doch die Moral von der Geschicht gefiel mir. Denn seine Angst zu überwinden ist schon etwas gut zu Vermittelndes. Und ist das Thema "Angst überwinden" auch gut gelungen? Das auf jeden Fall, denn es nimmt ein gutes Ende mit dem Angsthasen. Doch was da genau passiert, könnt ihr dann im Buch nachlesen.

Auch die Figuren gefielen mir, da sie selbst in den ausweglosen Situationen zusammenhalten. Nicht mal ein Schneesturm bringt sie auseinander. An der Beziehung der beiden Figuren kann man das zweite Thema festmachen, Freundschaft.

Fazit? Normalerweise mag ich den Inhalt lieber als die Figuren. Doch hier waren es die Figuren. Wegen den Figuren mochte ich das Buch dann dennoch noch.

[Sam Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet book about teamwork and friendship. Lars the Polar
bear found Hugo Hare stuck in a deep hole in the ice. Lars rescued Hugo. They became fast friends. As time went on, they helped each other out of some scary situations by working together.

The moral of the story indicates that if you work together as a team, you can build friendships, and in the process, overcome fear and other obstacles.

The illustrations are amazing, very cute with attention to every detail. There was a little “where’s waldo” happening on page 12.

The author lists this book for children P-3.
The best place for this book would be on every child’s, grandparents, school library in early elementary school bookshelf.

I received this advanced reader’s copy from the Author/Illustrator Hans de Beer, North South Books, and NetGalley. This is a voluntary review, and all comments and opinions are entirely my own.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a quiet day in the North Pole, little polar bear, Lars comes across a very frightened hare named Hugo. Of course the good-hearted Lars helps rescue him. And one good deed deserves another - when Lars finds himself trapped and scared, Hugo finds his bravery, so that he can help Lars escape his dangerous situation.

It is nice to see these lovely stories by Hans De Beer republished for a new generation of readers. Lars epitomises kindness and friendship and will delight young readers who love adventure as well as wild animals. The illustrations enhance the story and are bright and colourful. Lars gets a little boastful in this book, and it's a good reminder that being boastful does not always mean one is brave in every situation. Luckily Lars' new friend can help him out.

Any reader would be lucky to have an edition of this story in their home.

Thank you NetGalley and North South Books Inc. for this free eARC in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

At last a book in this series I could find favour with. Persistence will prevail. After a clunky, over-written book done as a kind of 'my first bilingual' edition of the original adventure, and one where the Polar Bear turns a Greta-goading eco-sab, we get a gentler, more agenda-free read for the young audience aimed at. Here, a rescue mission forms a friendship between the bear and an Arctic hare, but when a visit to the polar research station is called for a mishap happens, and it's down to the timid young hare to try and save the day. Again the script could have been more concise, as the visuals and plot still look younger than the denser sections of text would have you believe, but this little drama was perfectly reasonable apart from that – practically to the level of getting four stars.

[Gita · Rating 4 out of 5]

انقدر سرم شلوغ است که این کتاب ۲۷ صفحه‌ای را در دو نشست تمام کردم. نصفش را دیشب در مترو خواندم و نصفه‌ی دیگر را الان در سالن مطالعه؛ بعد از دوازده ساعت ریاضی خواندن!

کتاب، داستانِ شیرینِ دوستی یک خرگوش و یک خرس قطبی است. خرگوش از چیزهای جدید میترسد و در دویدن و فرار کردن تبحر دارد. با این‌حال وقتی خرس‌کوچولو گیر می‌افتد، برمی‌گردد و کمکش می‌کند.
تصویرسازی‌های کتاب هم واقعا زیباست.

از کتاب:
«خرس کوچولو و خرگوش کوچولو دوستان خوبی هستند و بیش‌تر وقت‌ها روی تپه‌ی کوچکی می‌نشینند و به تکّه‌های برف و یخ شناور روی دریا نگاه می‌کنند. بعضی شب‌ها هم کنار هم روی برف‌ها دراز می‌کشند و آن‌قدر برای هم قصّه می‌گویند تا به خواب بروند.»

پی‌نوشت: انقدر خسته‌ام و انقدر دلم نمی‌خواد برم و گرادیان رو شروع کنم که می‌تونم یَک‌یَکِ صفحات کتاب رو براتون تایپ کنم. این دختر کناریم هم الان وسایلش رو جمع کرد و رفت. عجب گیری کردیم به مولا.
۰۲/۳/۱۵
۲۲:۲۰
شب قبل از میان‌ترم دوم ریاضی دو. :]

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugo, the bunny fell down a cravious and he was afraid.. And his friend Lars, the braver of the two, reassured Hugo that he has nothing to be afraid of. and Lars called Hugo a scaredy-hare,, which of course was the truth. and it was through the details, that makes for a funny little story. and a lesson of kindness and braver of the two helps the less brave of the pair.
The illustrations of this book tells the story on its own and for this reason it was unnecessary to use dialogue to tell the story. This was the second of Hans de Beer.s stories and that I have reviewed and both were charming memorable books, plus the books teach valuable lessons. Thank you Netgalley, Hans de Beer, and the publisher for this eARC in return for an honest review.

[Bethea Scovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet story about a little polar bear who rescues a hare. The hare is nervous throughout much of the story as things keep happening to the pair. By the end of the book, the hare puts his fears behind him in order to save his new friend.

Children will love this simple story of friendship and bravery. The illustrations bring the story to life and do a beautiful job of representing the emotions of the two animals as they have their adventures. I highly recommend this book for lower elementary and preschool aged students. It would be the perfect addition to a classroom library.

Thank you to #NetGalley for an eARC of a reprint of the tale of #LittlePolarBearandtheBraveLittleHare by #HansdeBeer from the #LittlePolarBearseries

-5 stars

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lars, the little polar bear, rescues Hugo the hare from a deep hole and the two become friends. They enjoy playing together, but Hugo is afraid to slide down a steep slope and Lars calls him a scaredy-hare. But when the two friends get into trouble at the polar research station, will Hugo be able to find enough courage to rescue his friend?

Charming pastel illustrations accompany the text in this picture book for pre-readers and beginning readers. The AD510L Lexile level for this book designates it as one for adults to read to a child. While enjoying the story, children will learn about bravery and the importance of friendship.

[Jamie Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being fearful vs fearless, sometimes these traits can hold you back or put you in danger. However, other times they can be valuable. The polar bear in this story tends to be more fearless in nature, it may get him in trouble but it also gave him the courage to help a stranger (bunny) in need. The bunny is cautious and a bit fearful, he avoids danger but also he has to get over his fear to save his new friend polar bear.

This was a cute story, but unfortunately for my kids it was a bit long. The illustrations are beautiful. Solid 3.5 stars, great story but may not keep littles attention.