Baby Bear's Book of Tiny Tales

by David McPhail

Great for fans of the Little Bear series, this collection of four sweet stories of friendship and discovery makes a perfect new baby gift.

This collection of simple, short, and irresistibly sweet stories about Baby Bear finding things--and figuring out what to do with them--includes "Baby Bear Finds a Book," "Baby Bear Finds a Flower," "Baby Bear Finds a Baby Bird," and "Baby Bear Finds a Friend."

Charmingly written and illustrated by celebrated artist David McPhail, the impeccably classic feel of the text and art will take readers back to Sendak's Little Bear and Lobel's Frog and Toad books.

Genres: Picture Books, Short Stories, Childrens, Juvenile, Animals, Friendship

48 pages, Hardcover

First published February 13, 2018

About the author

David was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts and attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. While there, he began illustrating. He is now an award-winning author and illustrator of nearly 200 books beloved by children, parents and librarians across the United States. McPhail has garnered many prestigious awards, including a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year for Mole Music in 2001. McPhail’s other books include First Flight, which the New York Times praised as “hilarious and helpful”; and Lost!, which was chosen as an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists.

McPhail has four children, three stepchildren, and is a proud grandfather. He is married to Jan Waldron, with whom he has written and illustrated several books. He lives in Rye, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baby Bear has a number of quiet but deeply satisfying adventures in this collection of four very short stories. In Baby Bear Finds a Boot, our little ursine hero fishes something very surprising out of the stream, and is led to his father, also fishing. Baby Bear Finds a Flower sees him refraining from picking a very rare flower, bringing Mama Bear to see it instead. Baby Bear Finds a Baby Bird sees him guarding a young bird who has fallen out of his nest. Finally, in Baby Bear Finds a Friend, he befriends a little girl having tea with her toys, and they spend a fun afternoon together...

I have seen Baby Bear's Book of Tiny Tales compared to Else Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak's Little Bear books, and I can definitely see the parallels. The endearing ursine hero; the storytelling structure, with its brief vignettes; the gentle, loving sensibility - all remind me of those earlier classics. Young animals lovers will definitely take Baby Bear to heart, whether this title is presented to them as a picture-book, read by their parents, or as an early reader, that they can try to read themselves. The artwork is lovely, although I continue to feel (as mentioned in other reviews) that David McPhail is better as depicting animals, than he is at humans. Leaving that one quibble aside, this is a charming little book, one I would recommend to anyone looking for gentle animal stories for younger children.

[Casandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminiscent of Little Bear books, which I loved growing up.

[SBC · Rating 3 out of 5]

This very cute little book contains four stories about Baby Bear:

Baby Bear Finds a Boot
Baby Bear Finds a Flower
Baby Bear Finds a Baby Bird
Baby Bear Finds a Friend.

In the first story, Baby Bear fishes up a red boot and checks if it belongs to any of his friends (Timmy Squirrel, Bobby Raccoon, Daisy Skunk, Ollie Owl), only to discover Papa Bear fishing with one boot.

In the second story, Baby Bear is about to pick a beautiful flower for his mum when Daisy Skunk warns him it's a rare flower. They find Mama Bear and bring her to see it instead.

In the third story, Baby Bear finds a baby bird that has fallen from its nest. He protects it from a hawk and when its mama returns and can't carry it back to the nest, Baby Bear helps out.

In the final story, Baby Bear wants someone to play with him but all his friends are busy. He meets a new friend, a little girl named Julia, and all her dolls who are having a picnic.

A beautifully put together collection with enjoyable stories and lovely artwork.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This chapter book, by David McPhail, contains really interesting stories. Far more sophisticated than your typical chapter book with pictures, for young folks.

Ygad, what am I writing! By now I've encountered hundreds of first-rate picture books. But this is the best chapter book in that genre that I've found yet.

Each story teaches something about how to solve problems. Something at age. And perhaps an approach that can prove foundational later in life. AWESOME.

FIVE STARS for sure.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four short stories featuring the adventures of Baby Bear. During his adventures he catches a red boot while fishing, discovers a rare flower, helps a little bird that fell out of his nest, and makes a new friend while his other forest friends were busy. A gentle read.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now I only read one of the four stories listed in this book. The one I read for Storytime was, "Baby Bear Finds a Friend". I loved Baby Bear as a kid and this book did not disappoint my inner kid. The illustrations are adorable and the story is simple and sweet.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, easy stories and beautiful illustrations.

[Andréa · Rating 4 out of 5]

David McPhail's illustrations are lovely, as always.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four simple, quick stories.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Several short stories that can be read together or on different occasions. Baby Bear does sweet things like finding his dad's boot and showing his mom a rare flower.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthy successor to Little Bear in both tone and appearance. Gutsy move on McPhail's part, but well done.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet little stories great for a beginning reader.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and sweet. These little tales are darling. Although they aren't bedtime stories in particular, I found them to be soothing and tender in a bedtime story like way.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

short episodic stories reminiscent of Arnold Lobel and Else Minarik

[Tara Olson Kazda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sweetness of older easy readers with soft, gentle illustrations.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four short stories for emerging chapter book readers about a baby bear and his adventures in the forest with friends. Early elementary.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's David McPhail. Run and buy this book. Enough said. :-)

[✨Arline✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a sweet book, but it’s nothing new. I’d rather re-read Else Minarik & Maurice Sendak’s Little Bear books.

[Lisa Nagel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and beautifully illustrated collection of short tales that reminded me of the Little Bear Series.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable collection of tiny tales.

[Great Books]

A delightful new book and character from established author, David McPhail, early readers will bond with Baby Bear, strengthen their reading and vocabulary skills, and discover new lessons in these four simple and sweet tales -- expertly illustrated on every page with pastel watercolors, pen and ink. Reviewer #28

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little book with four different stories involving Baby Bear.

This was very fun for bedtime reading with littles and is overall a charming, quiet and imaginative book.

[Margaret]

When you've been involved in the realm of children's literature for nearly forty-five years there are authors and illustrators whose contributions and creations have been partners with you. You have had the distinct privilege to read almost every book they've brought into the world, marveling at their singular styles in writing and in their artwork. Many of their books are your best friends. You've witnessed how they've touched the hearts of readers.

There is one such author and illustrator whose bears, real and teddy, call out his name. In his newest title, Baby Bear's Book of Tiny Tales (Little, Brown And Company, February 13, 2018), David McPhail further endears readers to his charming furry characters. This little guy has a knack for finding what needs to be found.

My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...