Big Brown Bear's Cave

by Yuval Zommer (contributor)

Big Brown Bear's new cave just doesn't feel like home, so he fills it with all kinds of STUFF. Soon there is SO much stuff there is no room to stretch or scratch or do any of the things that Big Brown Bears generally like to do. And there is definitely no room for his friends to come and visit. Something's got to give! A funny story with an important message about the value of friendship. From the creator of the hugely popular One Hundred Bones and One Hundred Sausages .

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

32 pages, Paperback

Published July 13, 2017

About the author

Yuval Zommer graduated from London’s Royal College of Art and has worked as creative director for many of the U.K.’s top advertising agencies. This is his debut picture book, inspired by the animals he came across on a trip to the zoo.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're searching for proof that it's not only humans who expand to fill all available space, look no further than this book.

When Big Brown Bear finds a nice, cozy cave he becomes obsessed with filling it up.



But, soon he discovers that there is such a thing as TOO MUCH STUFF.

I really liked this one, but then I have a soft spot for both bears, and hoarders.

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bruine Beer vindt een nieuwe grot, maar hij is al snel niet tevreden! Er is teveel ruimte!

Tja, de cover die riep me gewoon, die zei tegen me dat dit een leuk en grappig boek zou zijn. En nadat ik de blurb had gelezen was ik het er helemaal mee eens en mocht dit boek mee.

Ik heb me toch een portie gelachen om deze grote Bruine Beer. Ik weet niet zeker of ik stelen goed vind, want dat doet hij wel als hij de grotten (garages) van de mensen in de buurt ziet. Maar ja, het is een beer, die snapt waarschijnlijk niet dat stelen slecht is. :P Ik moest wel lachen dat de beer zoveel spullen meenam en niemand het blijkbaar door had (dus in die zin heeft ie de mensen misschien nog geholpen ook). Ik vroeg me al af hoe lang het zou duren tot zijn huis vol zou zijn, nou, gegeven dat hij op een gegeven moment struikelt over doos 79 (!!) heel erg lang.

Ik vond het leuk om zijn vrienden te zien, ja, we zien meer dan alleen de Bruine Beer. We zien ook een Grijze Minibeer, een Blauwe Babybeer, en een Zwarte Grizzlybeer. Deze 4 zijn echt de beste maatjes, en ze vinden het dan ook erg leuk om te zien dat hij zijn huis volgooid, en helpen hem wanneer hij vast komt te zitten.

Verder zal ik niks verklappen. Komt de beer nog vrij? En wat moet er dan met de spullen gebeuren? En zal de beer blijdschap vinden in zijn huis? Lees maar lekker het boek en kom er zelf achter. Ik beloof je het is erg lief, leuk, en ik was heel blij voor iedereen.

Dus een heerlijk boek over jezelf thuis voelen in een nieuwe plek, over spullen, en over vriendschap. Oh, en ik vond de tekeningen echt harstikke leuk, vooral hoe de beren waren getekend. Echte beren, niet van die schattige (die ook leuk zijn hoor, maar soms wil ik wel eens een echte beer).

Een aanrader dus lees hem snel~

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Jessica Furtado · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations are lovely, but text is a bit lacking. The message is on point in today's world where many are trying to move away from consumerism and toward a more minimalist lifestyle, but adults will likely catch onto this theme more than children will. It can be used as a nice conversation starter for families hoping to educate their children that making space in your life for experiences and time with the people you love is more important than making space for physical objects.

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 sterren - Nederlandse hardcover

Naar het kinderzwrfboekstation Winnie de Poeh. Zo kunnen kinderen wiens ouders geen boeken kunnen betalen toch een prentenboek lezen en of voorlezen.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear finds a lovely cave with all kinds of room to roll around. Lots and lots of space is his! Then one day he notices that humans have caves too (garages). He decides that his cave needs STUFF. Lots of STUFF. Which is okay, because he is fond of lots of STUFF. He takes the STUFF to his comfy cave but soon discovers that there is no room for his friends. So they ask him to go fishing, but all his stuff has him trapped! He can't escape! They tug and pull and finally set him free of all that STUFF. His helpful friends carry all that STUFF back to the garage where it belongs. As they curl up to sleep, bear learns that friends are more important than STUFF.

This charming book explains how binding the pursuit of things can be and how trapped people can become by the things they own. This is a good message for everyone, not just children. Especially because most of the things bear accumulates seem to have been abandoned in the garage for a sufficient length of time that their absence does not attract notice. Nor does the string of extremely big bears going back and forth. Buy this book and then have children clean out their toy chest and then donate to goodwill. Then hand the book to your spouse and mention that your own garage could use a big bear who likes stuff as well!

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zommer, Yuval. Big Brown Bear’s Cave. PICTURE BOOK. Templar Books, 2017. $16.99.

Big Brown Bear discovers the perfect cave one day and moves in immediately. He can’t quite get comfortable though and decides to go for a stroll. On his walk, he finds human “caves” (garages) that are filled with lots of stuff. He decides he must need stuff too and makes off with bikes, watering cans, fire extinguishers, and boxes of junk. He fills his cave to the brim. He makes it so full in fact, that when his bear friends come by to see his new place, they can’t even fit inside. All the bears decide to take the stuff back and now that his cave is empty, he can fill it with the things that are really important; his friends.

I do like the illustrations in this book and the final theme of the story about how people are what is important, not more stuff is really lasting, but the focus on the theme isn’t highlighted enough and seems only to be used to wrap up the story.

EL (K-3)- OPTIONAL. Reviewed by Shay, School Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Caleb Ensminger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a bear that finds a cave in the forest. He gets into the cave and notices that something isn't right, the cave is empty. The bear then goes out to find something to fill his cave. He then comes across a human "cave". He goes in a finds all sorts of items. He decided to take many items to fill his cave. When his cave was full, many other bears asked if they could come in, but there was no more room. Then the bear realized he had gotten stuck in the cave. All of the bear's friends helped him get out of the cave, and when he escaped they all returned the items to the human caves. The bear then realized the missing part to his cave was his friends. I would use this book in class if I were trying to show the importance of friendship and how it can really make an impact on someone.

I personally liked this book. I feel like kids would enjoy reading this book as a class and would have a laugh at all the things the bear brought into his cave. I can definitely see myself putting this book into my classroom library.

[Holly Haught]

This story is about a bear that had just found a cave. When he moved in he couldn't get comfortable and wasn't happy. He was walking past human houses when he realized that their garages were like his cave. He thought that since humans have so much stuff in their caves, he should add stuff to his. When he did, he added too much stuff and got stuck! his friends had to pull him out and they returned the human's stuff. The bear and his friends stayed in the cave that night and were all happy.

I thought that this book was so adorable! I loved the underlying meaning to the story and the illustrations. The spread on the last page was my favorite with all of the bears cuddled up and happy in their cave together.

In a classroom setting, I would use this book to show my students that friends and family can be more important than materialistic things. Possessions can sometimes distract us and make us frustrated and bogged down in having more stuff, but friends and family will make us far happier.

[Kaylee Aulenbacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was about a bear that wanted a cave that felt like home. He scratches a cave for himself but decides it does not feel like home. so he wonders out of the forest and finds homes. he looks inside of the garages of people thinking it is a cave and sees that they have stuff in it. so he thinks that he needs stuff for his cave. when his friends as to stay in the cave he realizes that he has to much stuff. he ends the book with no stuff and just him and his friends in the cave together.

I like this book because it gives the example that you don't have to be like everyone else. you can be different and your home does not have to like everyone else's.

I would use this book in my class to explain diversity. have the kids read the book and have them draw or explain what there home is like. make the point that everyone is different but we are all happy.

[Missy Matula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a heartwarming story about friendship and the need for materialistic things that humans need to constantly have. I loved the illustrations of the bears, caves, and stuff! He realizes at the end of the book that he doesn't need all the stuff accumulated and I think that's a good message for young readers to hear, especially at an age where there is a lot of exposure to toys. It's also good for parents to read to their children to drive home the message of cleaning up after yourself! I thought this book overall was very cute and had a good message.

[Lindsey Reece · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked reading this book! I was so drawn to the illustrations because they were so fun to look at. The cover is just stunning! As I was reading through the book, I laughed at the bears interpretation of the human “caves.” I think students of all ages would enjoy reading this book. I love the moral behind this story and I stand behind it 100%. Quality is better than quantity. People are better than possessions. I would Probably use this book as an end of the day wind down and encourage my students to love one another and worry less about material things.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a pleasant surprise. A big brown bear finds a suitable cave - and with some inspiration from humans' caves (aka packed garages), he tries to outfit his own with boxes, bikes, and lots of assorted "treasures." By the end, he realizes that the company of others is better than the company of stuff. As we are preparing for a new years purge in our basement and garage, my husband and I found this book particularly inspirational while our kids liked it too.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bear runs amok when it defies its own nature by rummaging for stuff in garages rather than food in the forest, even bypassing full garbage cans to stuff its cave with everything but a bearskin rug—aberrant ursine behaviors intended to teach readers a lesson about the evils of consumerism and the goodness of normal bears that don’t let friends imitate humans.

[Emily Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear wants the perfect cave, but isn't quite satisfied with his. He takes some inspiration from human caves (garages) and fills his cave full of stolen (borrowed?) items from the humans. There's not much of a lesson here other than maybe to not hoard things? Don't steal? Otherwise, it's a bit entertaining and could be cute and fun for a discussion during storytime.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the illustrations of this book! It's also a great story for children who have trouble cleaning up. However, I thought the story ended abruptly. I feel like it needed another page or two. But it's still a cute book.

[Shaina Cade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lil story about a big brown bear stealing from humans, struggling with his hoarding lifestyle, and then finally getting to settle down in a great big pile of his bear friends as a perfect spot to sleep. Ah, just like my life... I mean XD Very sweet art style.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who just got rid of basically all of her clothes I appreciate this perspective on not having "stuff". It might be a good book to read when donating stuff or getting rid of things for a downsize.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Brown Bear learns a lesson when he decides to follow in the footsteps of humans and pack his cave with STUFF. His friends can't visit, and he gets stuck! A simple introduction to the idea of minimalism and appreciating everything in life, not just buying more stuff.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Minimalism for the preschool set?

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear finds a perfect new cave but fills it with stuff.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does it bother anyone else that the bear is stealing people's stuff? A nice story if you just consider that having stuff isn't as important as friends.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the illustrations more than the text; the story felt lacking when I wanted it to be charming. I kept thinking of George Carlin and his bit about "STUFF" while reading this.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

CONSUMERISM!!!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story.

[Paige M · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good message about materialism and what's really important hidden in here

[Casandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

You really don't need a lot of stuff..

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bear can't seem to settle into his cave so he starts collecting human belongings to fuill his cave. Will that help him? preschool and up

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story that highlights the value of friends of material stuff.

[Danica Midlil · Rating 3 out of 5]

A message to hoarders. People are more important than things.

[Stacey Socholotuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuff or friends? Bear learns stuff doesn't make a house feel like home.