Little Bear's Friend

Little Bear #3

by Else Holmelund Minarik, Maurice Sendak (Illustrator)

NEW FRIENDS

One summer Little Bear makes friends with a girl named Emily. But when summer ends, Emily must leave. Little Bear is very sad—until he finds a way to stay close to his new friend even when she is far away!

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Animals, Classics, Friendship, Juvenile

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1960

About the author

Else Holmelund Minarik was the author of the Little Bear series of children's books, which were successful as books, and were also made into a successful children's TV series. The Little Bear books sold more than 6 million copies worldwide.

Else Minarik was also the author of another well-known book, No Fighting, No Biting!

She was born in Denmark, and with her family immigrated to the United States at the age of four. After she graduated from Queens College, City University of New York she became a journalist for the Rome Daily Centennial newspaper and taught first-graders during WWII. Minarik lived in Nottingham, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Calista]

I loved this story of making a summer friend and being pen pals. Maurice Sendak was the artist and he used 4 colors, black, white, green and brown for. It all works. The story, the art.

Little bear is sweet and kind and precious. I had this warm glow in my chest while reading it and I wanted to read it all over again when I was done. It was a fantastic story. I am a huge fan of these little bear books.

I let my niece read this one and I think she is going to read it. I'll have to update what she thinks of it.

[Katja Labonté]

4 stars. I know I said Little Bear's Visit was “probably my favourite,” but this one is even better. To start off, I LOVE the beautiful scene of the countryside. It’s gorgeous. Also, this story collection is just sweet and funny and interesting… Emily and Little Bear are so cute, and their friends are so much fun, and Mother Bear has the most beautiful dresses (why doesn’t the TV show always have her in the same outfit?!)… and the last story is kinda heart-tugging…

Also, I’m quite interested in Mother Bear’s declaration that if they eat all the cake it won’t rain the next day. Wonder where that very vintage idea came from?

[Abigail]

Little Bear makes a human friend in this third early reader devoted to his adventures, discovering that allowing new people into one's life can bring both pleasure and sorrow. Like its two predecessors, Little Bear and Father Bear Comes Home , there are four brief stories presented here, beginning with Little Bear and Emily, in which little bear and little girl first meet and become friends. Duck, Baby Sitter sees the two meeting up with Little Bear's anatine friend, on their way to a party; while The Party at Owl's House sees Emily and her doll Lucy being introduced to Little Bear's circle of friends. All things must come to an end, and in Your Friend, Little Bear, our young ursine hero is distraught when Emily must leave at the end of the summer, but comforted by the knowledge that he can keep in touch with her through letter-writing.

First published in 1960, Little Bear's Friend was, together with its four companion volumes, an important part of my childhood library, and I can recall curling up with it on numerous occasions. Text and artwork - supplied by Else Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak, respectively - work together seamlessly in these stories, drawing the young readers in to a fully realized world, one in which the child perspective is treated with respect and depicted with sympathy. As is the case with all of the Little Bear books, I loved the interaction between Little Bear and Mother Bear here - the teasing dialogue and underlying affection - as well as the immensely expressive artwork. Little Bear looks a little softer to me here, for some reason - a little cuter than in the previous two, perhaps? - but his facial expressions are still as droll and winsome as ever!

All in all, a lovely little book, one that I would strongly recommend to beginning readers looking for real stories, rather than reading exercises disguised as stories.

[Shiloah]

Lovely illustrations and sweet story!

[Syed Muhammad Danial]

Interesting story, a good book for children to read

[Matt Smith]

Very sweet

[Nikki in Niagara]

Reason for Reading: My son read the book aloud to me as his reader.

Summary: Little Bear meets Emily for the first time; she and her parents are camping in the woods for the summer. They become friends, have adventures on their way to owl's house for his party and say goodbye at the end of the summer.

Comments: Fans of the TV show will be interested in seeing how Emily really meets Little Bear for the first time and that indeed she does have parents who are alive and well! This book more than other's in the series follows a more traditional chapter book with a fairly cohesive story rather than four separate short stories. Each is connected to, or continues on from the previous. Minarik was a brilliant story teller and she, as usual, does a wonderful job with the limited vocabulary of this book, part of the original "An I Can Read Book" series. Minarik's stories themselves can stand on their own but I personally think that these have become the classics they are because of the combination of Minarik's writing and Maurice Sendak's illustrations. Lovely, whimsical illustrations showcase perfect examples of Sendak's work that focuses on the regular aspects of life rather than his fantastical works for which he is more well known.

With the entry of Emily into the series, these books become more girl friendly and yet still retain their appropriateness for boys. Children shouldn't miss out on the original books if they've only been exposed to the cartoon show. Written at a Level 1 reading level the book is simple and straight forward to read, making it a pleasure for beginners or struggling readers.

[Marlayna]

The little bear begins his adventure up in a tree overlooking the entire land. On his way down from the tree to head home for lunch, the little bear meets lots of new friends including a young girl named Emily. The book follows the adventures of the two friends and all the other friends they meet and play with.
This book would be helpful for beginner readers. The sentences are short and include many high frequency words. A reading curriculum would benefit from the book because it teaches children how to sound out words and follow along in the story using the text and pictures provided. This book would also be helpful in teaching children that there is so many things to explore in the world and on their way to finding new things, they will meet interesting people. Those people could on day become their best friends. Being open minded to everything makes life more interesting and this book enforces that idea.

[Katt Hansen]

When I was about five, I was given three books, my very first books that I'd ever owned myself. This was one of them.

I think I must have re-read this book a hundred times as a child, delighting in the descriptions, the world, the stories. There was something soft and gentle and just perfect for the beginning reader in them.

Now, re-reading these books as an adult, I see that they haven't lost a thing. There is still that wonder. I love Little Bear up in the tree, and the way he sees the world. I love his friendships, and how unselfish he and his friends are when it comes to showing their affection for each other. This is still a wonderful book, and will always be on my favorites shelf.

[Jennifer Curtin]

EDLI 200 Reading Requirement: Easy Reader
Genre: Fiction Easy Reader
Reading Level: Grade 1-3

Take off on another adventure with Little Bear as he makes a new friend, lends a helping hand, delights in the pleasure of friendship and reminds us that the truest gifts in life are often right in front of us.

[Joan]

Little Bear meets Emily who is lost, with her doll. Little Bear leads her home and gets a new friend! They have adventures over the summer but have to separate at the end because Emily needs to go home and go to school. It turns out Little Bear will have school too! So sweet, gentle and quiet humor!

[Kathryn Joyce]

"Mini" chapter book for students. This would be a nice choice to put in the library when reading other Little Bear books. Talks about friendships and being loyal. Vivid and detailed pictures used throughout.

[Sarah]

This is the other Little Bear book I grew up reading. My old battered copies of this and Father Bear Comes Homes have been passed down to my eight year old daughter who loves them. She recently read this one and Father Bear Comes Home aloud to me.

[Emily]

This is the third book in the Little Bear series. To me, this book is not as good as the others. The story with Little Bear's new friend Emily is not as original as the other stories about Little Bear. It is still good and worth reading.

[Joanne Roberts]

This second book in the series is as sweet as the first. The introduction of a human companion subtly conveys the message that friends come in all kinds. The gentle adventures are still in an easy-to-read format.

[Jen]

Purchased for my collection.

[Deana]

My childhood favorite :-)

[Heather Ledet]

Just as it's time to go home, Little Bear meets a lost girl and helps her find her way home. A good book for readers who are ready to read on their own.

[Sarah]

Such cute pictures.

[Linda]

Adorable story and illustrations.

[Brent]

Our favorite of the series... We read it again and again after the books had had a rest.

[Betsy]

Another great easy to read chapter book. Little Bear makes a new friend, Emily. Grades K through 2.

[Lizzy Lan]

Little Bear meets Emily, whom he immediately befriends. They go on adventures together such as babysitting ducklings and going to Owl's party.

[Bennett]

I think that girl is crazy. Talking to bears? Oh my, someone help her...

[Andrea]

I love Little Bear! (Yay for books they were getting rid of at the library I worked at last year!)

[Audrey]

A charming and imaginative story about a friendship between bear and a little girl. A delightful little story for young children and early readers.

[Abril G. Karera]

Un libro álbum considerado ya clásico, donde Sendak comenzó a forjar su estilo. Interesante, pero nada del otro mundo.

[Blabby Gabi]

These were like my all time favorite books when I was 5!!!! 😂❤️❤️❤️❤️ I re-read them and they are so sweet! 😆😁

[Mehsi]

Een best zoet boekje over een Kleine Beer die nieuwe vriendjes maakt. Ik vond het leuk geschreven (al merk je wel de leeftijd van het boek want op punten best ouderwets). Al moest ik enorm lachen om de eend die niet wist hoe snel hij weg moest komen toen zijn vrouw terugkwam om op de eendjes te passen, oh man. Ik vond het apart dat Emily in een tent woonde? Ik gok dat ze gewoon op vakantie was, maar ze had wel erg mooie jurken mee voor vakantie en spelen. Leuk dat alle dieren kunnen praten, apart dat niet alle dieren in een huis wonen. Ik vond de vriendschap erg zoet.
Ook leuke illustraties.

[Renee]

All the characters from Little Bear’s birthday party reappear to celebrate owl’s birthday. Emily, a new human companion and her doll join the friends. This book simply doesn’t have the same quiet mystique as other books in the series. I think the addition of a human character takes away from the sense of experiencing Little Bear’s hidden world.

Sendak’s illustrations, as always, are superb.