Bear Hunt

Bear

by Anthony Browne

This story is all about a very clever white bear and his magic pencil. Everything Bear draws becomes real! He draws a circle and it becomes a hole through which he can escape. He even draws a rope that he can swing on. And when two bear hunters are after him, his magic pencil comes in very handy!

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Fantasy, Humor, Adventure, Fiction

24 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Anthony Browne, a Hans Christian Andersen Medalist, is the author-illustrator of many acclaimed books for children, including Silly Billy and Little Beauty. He lives in Kent, England.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Frances Coe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A forgotten favourite from my childhood! I LOVED this book growing up and only remembered once I opened it. Clever little bear drawing his way out of tricky situations. Not too sure about the gun, but I think I need to get over these things that scare me

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A childhood classic. I would read this one to one of my younger sisters and she loved it! It was so much fun to see the bear outsmart the hunters.

[Benjamin Alvarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Llámenme loco pero estaba a punto de registrar esta lectura como una muy mala cuando me detuve a pensar ¿No puede ser tan mala? claro es infantil, de seguro esconde algo. La releí en busca de esas moralejas que caracterizan los textos infantiles, pero por más que buscaba no lograba encontrar mucho en este texto, me parecía muy ambiguo su mensaje y aunque es un texto muy corto cargado de pocos elementos muy bien dibujados (amé el estilo de grabado), existía una metáfora en los elementos del cuento, sobre todo en lo que el oso les da a los otros animales, pero no lograba encontrar un significado. Recurrí a Google en busca de una reseña que apaciguara mis ganas de sobre pensar un texto infantil y me tope con la reseña de July R de cosmosliterarios (http://www.cosmosliterario.com/2018/0...) una gran reseña en busca de exhibir al osito como un ser cruel, y aunque me parece, fue hasta el comentario de su padre, quien dice que el osito es gobierno que premia a los furioso y daña a los más indefensos, cuando regrese al texto en busca de entender la simbología desde ese punto.

Y he aquí el porque pueden llamarme loco, llegue a la conclusión de que el oso solo busca salir de ahí, eliminar de su camino a los que se interponen o lo amenazan de alguna manera. Vemos al gorila, un ser fuerte y con grandes brazos, incluso considerado salvaje, pero el osito le da un osito para que pueda abrazar, le dio justo lo que necesita un gorila, algo para sostener., por que como el mismo osito lo dice, es lo que necesita.

Cuando se topa a un cocodrilo, un animal salvaje y feroz conocido por su gran boca, le da un trompeta, para hacer ruido y entretener su boca, por que como lo dice el osito, eso lo mantiene tranquilo.

Cuando se topa con el león, un animal conocido como el rey de la selva, feroz y temerario, territorial, le da la corona, atacando al orgullo, el león se va con la cabeza en alto por que lo reconoce como rey, lo hace sentir especial, por que como dice el osito es algo especial para él.

Por último se topa con el elefante, al inicio lo desconoce ya que no esperaba encontrarlo, un animal conocido por ser grande, quizá el menos salvaje de todos, pero si más espacioso, y el osito dice "Me encargaré de él" y le da un ratón. Y muchos conocemos el miedo que tiene los elefantes a los minúsculos ratones. El osito se encarga de él mediante el miedo, mediante el miedo logra hacerlo a un lado, para poder pasar y concluir dibujando una salida en una pared, una salida a su medida y se despide con un "Adiós a todos."

Se encargo del gorila mediante el amor le llenó sus manos, se encargo del cocodrilo mediante la tranquilidad calló su boca, se encargo del león mediante el orgullo coronó su cabeza, pero frente al animal más tranquilo, menos salvaje pero más grande opto por el miedo, mediante él, el elefante se movió en seguida. Si, estoy algo loco, tomarme el tiempo para escribir esto quizá sea la prueba, y eso que no argumento que quizá el lápiz sea el símbolo de que todo lo puede obtener, o en este caso dibujar, representa el poder, pero no olvidemos que al final eran solo dibujos, solo ilusiones.

Al final el oso dibuja una salida justo para su tamaño, ningun animal puede salir por ahí, pero ¿Qué hace una pared en medio de una selva? ¿A caso no es una selva? ¿A caso están acorralados?

Si, en realidad un excelente cuento, donde con simpleza logra esconder (espero yo) un tremendo significado. 4 de 5 estrellas.

[Sonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book about a Bear that is being hunted. The Bear uses his pencil to draw objects and animals as a means to escape from the traps. It uses both pictures and very short words to tell the story. Children in EYFS can use this book to develop their ideas, imagination to guess what Bear is about to draw.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tag under "creativity", this is the story of a bear who needs to get out of various scrapes during a walk in the woods. Happily, he has a pencil that can magically draw him into a better situation.

[Megan Watterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

• This is a picture book. It is about a bear that finds a magical pencil that means that everything he draws becomes real and 3D. The bear decides to go for a walk in what is depicted through the illustrations as a tropical forest. At the time, there are two hunters who want to catch bear and the book walks you through all the ways the bear manages to escape their many traps using his pencil. The story ends when the bear manages to fly away from the hunters on a bird that he created by drawing it. This book has one line to every page with very simple language so it would be used by foundation classes mostly. It is a humorous book and the children will find it funny to see all of bears creations through the book and they will be entranced by the illustrations in the background. The forest holds many strange objects such as hats and umbrellas, this is a common theme with Browne books he makes everyday objects into other objects such as using shoes as leaves on a tree. This keeps the reader interested and constantly amazed by the creations in the book, it also stirs up their imagination so they start to think and hopefully write more creatively. This would be a good group read for a foundation class because it is interesting for them and it would be a good basis on discussion maybe about hunting in forests around the world.

[Pris · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the time of this post (June 2022), there is an Anthony Browne gallery running at the Seoul Arts Center. I was lucky enough to be able to find time to go. I’d always known that Browne was famous for his gorillas and monkey-like characters but I was delighted to see lots of surrealist and absurdist influence in some of his illustrations as well.

One of my favorite parts of the exhibit was the spotlight on The Bear Hunt which is a story about a white little bear who makes his way slowly through the forest, taking his time and outwitting hunters. Though the premise of the story tends to be a bit dark, the illustrations and the magical aspect of the storytelling makes it a really engaging read. It’s these little attractive details in the visuals that make Browne’s work so celebrated throughout the years.

[Iqra Fiaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun picturbook that encourages the use of imagination to help solve problems that you may encounter.
I particularly like the use of colours in the text. When the bear is drawing something to get out of being trapped, the background disappears, making us as the reader only focus on him and what he is doing. Our insight into what is going on around him is taken away from us. It is a powerful tool that causes us to engage deeper with the story.
I really enjoyed this book and there are lots of details to notice when reading that would engage children, if they are encouraged to look deeper into what is happening.

[Shevika Couchman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear Hunt is about a bear that is trying to get away from two hunters. The hunters are right on his tail, but what they don’t know is that Bear has a pencil that makes anything he draws come to life! The clever Bear draws himself out of traps several times. The illustrations are clear, and the things that Bear thinks up are comical. This appeals to younger readers because the text used is simple and only takes up a line per page. Younger readers could be encouraged to use their imagination to think of different ways that Bear could escape the traps.

[Kokelector · Rating 5 out of 5]

En apenas unas páginas, con una simpleza que raya en lo hermoso, nos devela una profundidad emocional de querer entender y ayudar a una otra u otro; sin hacernos cargo, pero sabiendo en todo momento que existe.

A través del arte, con a palabra precisa, con la emoción clara Osito pasea por el bosque y en sus encuentros con los otros animales sabrá interpretarles.

Que hermosa lectura, ideal para este mes.

Aquí lo encuentras.

[Bryony Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is very engaging for younger children and uses hidden items in the background and bright colours to gain and keep the children's attention. It is a very creative book that focuses mainly on the pictures rather than the writing (not much writing and writing is big and clear to see at the bottom of the page). It can help improve a child's creativity or teach children not to panic in a situation and that they can always come up with a solution.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Anthony Browne, and this is another favourite. His attention to detail is incredible - in this story, he fills the jungle with all sorts of weird and interesting plants, and even uses green flyleaf to make it feel like you're entering the jungle when you open the book. As always, the pictures are as integral to the story as the words, and the story of Bear has got just enough peril to make it feel dangerous.

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 1/2 stars.
This is about a bear with a magic pencil. When he gets into trouble, he can draw things to get himself out of the situation (like a saw to cut the bars of a cage, or a tip wire to trip a hunter or a bird to get out of a hole in the ground).
It's a bit odd.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another odd one. Glad the bear got away. Reminded me of Journey, Quest and Return with the whole drawing thing.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic picture book. Great for KS1, but I could also see KS2 pupils enjoying it thanks to the hidden details and funny story line. The artwork is amazing.

[N3gr4 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro es lo más tierno que he leído este año.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations were nice and attractive
and appropriate.

The artwork is very colorful and attractive.

IMO, the plot is good not absolutely great.

Children in general would enjoy this picturebook.

[Luke Coles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not that interesting and didn't make much sense

[Adrián · Rating 5 out of 5]

me gusto

[Andrés · Rating 5 out of 5]

me gusto

[Mariana Sainz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Para las más pequeñas que aún no leen

[Quentin · Rating 4 out of 5]

c'est super drôle

[Bloom · Rating 3 out of 5]

D'un ós que porta un llapis que crea objectes reals pels animals perillosos, perq estiguin contents i el deixin tranquil :))

[Lin · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's cute until you get to the page with a gun. Ah the old days...

[M Plague Doctor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encantó, sin duda puedo comentar que es una carta de amor a la literatura 🚬

Revolucionó y revivió la forma de escribir, transmitir ideas y conceptos. Un innovador libro álbum que te dejará reflexionando por el resto de los días de tu vida, la obra que con certeza inspirará a toda una generación de escritores de renombre.

Impresionante e imprescindible joya infravalorada 🚬🚬🚬

https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...#

[Andrew Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to love this picture book as a child and often drew my own forests and flowers to match the imaginative and bizarre designs depicted by Anthony Browne. Not to be confused with Michael Rosen's 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt', in this 1979 story Bear is not the villain, but the hero. An artist equipped in every picture with a pencil, Bear escapes the two hunters chasing him not by running away, but instead by repeatedly using his pencil to draw things into the story that turn the tables from their favour into his. He draws a rhinoceros for their lasso to land upon; he draws himself a saw to cut a hole in their cage they drop on him. More than just a fun tale that prompts children to guess what Bear might draw next to escape, this book really highlights the power of the illustrator's pencil and imagination. Bear's pencil encourages children to consider ways they could add to any illustration to completely change its meaning, enabling discussion of interpretation of images and the beginnings of critical literacy. On an equally imaginative but lighter level, the jungle foliage is adorably made up of an extraordinary range of body parts, food, inanimate objects and unexpected animals, which could prompt an art project where children have to draw one object made up out of a number of others! To read this book through might take only take a minute or two, but to really appreciate all there is to see in it could take hours.

[Agnese · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Bear Hunt" è un libercolo di poche pagine. In quanto a "mole" è il tipico libro per bambini piccoli. Ma se lo si osserva attentamente, ci si rende conto di come la foresta alle spalle di Bear pulluli di cravatte,bocche sorridenti,dolcetti, fili d'erba in completo da uomo, animali che sembrano usciti da un quadro di Rousseau..
Bear e la sua matita riescono sempre a tirarsi fuori da sgradevoli situazioni (una specie di McGyver!),"disegnano soluzioni" e sono salvi da gabbie e lazzi. Azzeccata la scelta di impaginazione: Bear inizia a tracciare nella pagina a destra e termina nella pagina a sinistra,costringendoti a voltare e generando una piccola suspence positiva (che un bambino,a mio parere,percepisce). Il tratto di Anthony Browne è essenziale e le storie,nella loro semplicità, molto poetiche.
Non so se parlo per affezione,forse è così.Però quando una cosa è bella lo è e basta. L'età non c'entra.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorable. Bear has a pencil and draws his way out of trouble with the hunters.

The pictures make the story very interactive. It sets you up to ask kids "Oh no! Who's that?" "A hunter!" or "What do you think bear will draw?" "A trap!"

Fun to read with my kindergartners.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear Hunt: Please pick this book up and partner it with Harold and the Purple Crayon but prepare yourselves for the creativity and numerous solutions to crazy predicaments that hunters put a bear into, loved this book!

[The Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

While sparse on words, this book has a lot to look at and imagine. The story is simple. A bear goes on a walk and two hunters try to catch him. He eludes them by drawing himself out of predicaments with his pencil.

Awesome illustrations - there's so much to find in the foliage!