Bears in the Snow

Bears on Chairs

by Shirley Parenteau, David M. Walker (Illustrator)

Shrieks of joy ensue when Big Brown Bear devises a clever sled that can carry four bears in this quintessential winter adventure.

The little bears are ready to play in the snow. But oh, no! Their sled is too small! It’s not as much fun to go sledding only two at a time, but what can they use to carry them all? Luckily, Big Brown Bear has an idea — and it starts with a belly flop!

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

32 pages, Board Book

First published October 18, 2016

About the author

This is my second time around as a children's book writer. When my own 3 children were young, I had 8 books published. My children grew up and for a time, I wrote women's fiction. Now I have 6 grandchildren, all girls. I'm writing for children again and loving it!

One of my granddaughter's play with stuffed animals in a bookstore children's area led me to write Bears on Chairs, a picture book published by Candlewick Press. The bears have made friends around the world and are especially popular in translation in Japan where David Walker's adorable illustrations have captivated readers.

Bears on Chairs was followed by Bears in Beds and in 2014 by Bears and a Bath. Illustrator David Walker is currently preparing more adorable bear pictures for a fourth book, Bears and a Birthday.

While I hope to keep writing about these whimsical sweet-natured bears, I'm excited about a new project for older children. My oldest granddaughter when three participated in Hinamatsuri, a festival of dolls in Japan. Online research of the festival led me to the 1926 Friendship Doll Project when American children sent more than 12,000 dolls to children in Japan. I wanted to write about that beautiful hope for friendship between children in two countries. My middle-grade novel, Ship of Dolls, the first in a planned series will be published by Candlewick Press in fall of 2014.

Reviews

[Katharine Coggeshall]

This is a perfect story time book for reading aloud to kids (likely ages 5 and under). Adorable illustrations that are not too busy add to the story without being a distraction. I liked how it engaged the kids and was written in a fun, well-paced manner.

[Panda Incognito]

This installment has more of a plot than most of the others, but it's still fairly bland, with just the cute illustrations going for it. Then, at the end, they all smell hot chocolate and go inside. WHO made the hot chocolate?? o_o The children have been outside with their adult the whole time! There was no one inside!

[Christine Joy]

THESE BEARS ARE SO CUTE!!!

[Heather McC]

A family of bears has to use some quick thinking when their sled isn't big enough for everyone.

[Brittany]

Not wonderful. Not entertaining. Cute illustrations is the only reason it gets a 2-Star review from me.

[Christine Turner]

Shrieks of joy ensue when Big Brown Bear devises a clever sled that can carry four bears in this quintessential winter adventure.

Here's a bright red sled
On a snowy day.
Where are the bears
To come out and play?

The little bears are ready to play in the snow. But -- oh, no! Their sled is too small! It's not as much fun to go sledding only two at a time, but what can they use to carry them all? Luckily, Big Brown Bear has an idea, and it starts with a belly flop!

Notes
Shirley Parenteau is the author of five other books about the bears: Bears on Chairs , Bears in Beds , Bears in the Bath , Bears and a Birthday , and Bears in a Band . Shirley Parenteau lives in Elk Grove, California.
David Walker has illustrated many children's books, including the five previous bears books and the Peep and Ducky books by David Martin. David Walker lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

[Vernon Area Public Library KIDS]

Season: Winter

What a delightful series Parenteau has made with these 4 bears (and their adult). Floppy, Fuzzy, Calico, Yellow, and Big Brown Bear bundle up to go play in the snow. With one small red sled, the bears must take turns going down the hill but--oh, the wait! Surely there's a solution for this problem? When Big Brown Bear flops down and all 4 bears clamber aboard, the ride down is full of giggles and happiness. (What? Now parents have the expectation of being sleds? I will never win.)

A well-written, delightful series for the classroom that allows children to connect through the year with a sweet set of bears.

Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library

[Kelsey]

Age: Toddler-Preschool
Family: 4 siblings and 1 adult
Toy: Sled
Familiar Experience: Sharing

What a delightful series Parenteau has made with these 4 bears. Floppy, Fuzzy, Calico, Yellow, and Big Brown Bear bundle up to go play in the snow. With one small red sled, the bears must take turns going down the hill but--oh, the wait! Surely there's a solution for this problem? When Big Brown Bear flops down and all 4 bears clamber aboard, the ride down is full of giggles and happiness. (What? Now parents have the expectation of being sleds? I will never win.)

A well-written, delightful series for the classroom that allows children to connect through the year with a sweet set of bears.

[Sandy]

It's always fun sledding in the snow. But the little bears only have a small sled and they all can't fit. But Big Brown Bear has an idea. Again the bears are so cute, the stories are fun, and the illustrations are wonderful.

[Haaley]

There are some books that immediately zing with me and this was one of them. I liked the simply beautiful illustrations and the story was sweet. It was one that the kids I work with liked and I hope to read it to my own children some day.

[Chinook]

This is quite sweet and it’s nice to have a few books in the book advent calendar that more conjure the feeling of Christmas than are actually about Christmas. It was a Christmas gift for Kait from her Gigi and Papa one year. The girls really like the idea of the big bear being a sled.

[Anthony]

It's a snowy day, and the four little bears go out for some fun with sledding. But their sled is too small, and can only seat two at a time. Big Brown Bear comes up with an idea for all to enjoying the sledding all at once.

[Ruth Ann]

Bears have fun in the snow. When their very small sled won't hold all four of them, Big Bear has a solution.

[Anna Smithberger]

I love the illustration style of these books, but the meter never scans right to my personal rhythm.

[Emily Carlyn]

The whole Bears series by Parenteau is great. it's always fun to ask the kids if they know what the bears could do to solve their dilemma.

[Viviane Elbee]

The illustrations are super cute, and young toddler & preschoolers may enjoy this quick read. Good for fans of bears, snow, sleds & belly flops.

Kids enjoyed it.

Artwork: 5 stars
Story: 3 stars

[Karen]

Nice story about sharing.

[Robin]

Cute. Great toddler read-aloud. Recommended for ages 1-4.

[Kelly]

Very cute, fun stories in this series.

[Karla]

Just so so
Not super great

Toddler read

No rare words

[Sylvia]

Story time kids loved trying to figure out what else the bears could sled on when they realized their sled was too small for all of them.

[Lauren Allen]

Cozy

[SL]

Cute illustrations, cute story, cute everything! ♥

[KaitandMaddie]

It is a very sweet story and we’ve been reading it for years since Kait got it from Gigi and Pawpaw in 2017.

[Ame]

But if they were all outside...then WHO made the hot chocolate???

Dun dun DUNNNN!

[Diane Chaniewski]

Such a sweet little story.

[Essie (Sarah)]

My nephew would be obsessed with this! The illustrations are so stinking adorable. A pretty darn cute story too!

[Colorado Buck]

Winter fun. Bears. Colors. Winter gear and activities.

[YAY: A]

A very cute story to read🥰

[Vicki]

Hats, scares, boots, mittens and a bright red sled make for great fun in the snow.