Bears Make the Best Writing Buddies

Bears Make Best #3

by Carmen Oliver, Jean Claude (Illustrations)

Adelaide loves writing. Bear loves writing. But Theo does NOT love writing. Thankfully, Adelaide and Bear are ready to team up and persuade the entire class, including Mrs. Fitz-Pea, that Bears make the best writing buddies. After all, who better to teach you how to fish and forage for new ideas than a bear? This third picture book in Carmen Oliver's Bears Make the Best...series is sure to encourage even the most reluctant writer to write a story.

Genres: Picture Books, Writing, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Carmen’s reading buddy was a yellow duck ride-on toy. Together, they wheeled around her world reading nursery rhymes by Mother Goose, poems from Shel Silverstein, and picture books by Dr. Seuss. With her grandmother, they read her favorite book Sandman’s Stories of Twinkle-Eyes before bed. At night, she dreamt about the mice characters living inside the kitchen pantry and the wily cat Puss that dogged their every move. Story was rooted inside of her and before long she began planting story seeds of her own.


She grew up in southern Manitoba, Canada, surrounded by lakes and prairie grasses. She built tree forts, caught tadpoles, sailed on homemade rafts and concocted mud pies and snow slushies. In high school, she anchored on the TV and radio station and wrote for the school newspaper, but eventually she entered a computer science program at college and began writing as a programmer analyst. In 2000, she married an amazing man and their three beautiful children became her new reading buddies. Inspired by parenthood, she cultivated new stories and nurtured them until they blossomed and produced fruit. Bears Make the Best Reading Buddies is her debut picture book. When she’s not writing, she loves gardening, cheering on her kids from the sidelines and blue-sky days. Carmen lives in Round Rock, TX with her family.

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

This story is a childrens condensed guide to writing a story and what they need to do and think about. It is a childrens book but more suited to a child who is interested in writing or learning to write a story.
The pictures were interesting and bright too.

[İlkim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is good at encouraging little minds to write. It's really sweet and delivers its message in a good way. And illustrations are so cute.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book has a basic fictional framework in its story about Adelaide, Theo, and Bear, it's almost a non-fiction title with tips for kids on how to be a good writer.

Ironically, however, the writing itself is mediocre. The punctuation is also incorrect in parts of the book. Adelaide tells much of the story with dialogue. Unfortunately, the paragraphs aren't punctuated correctly. (When there is more than one paragraph of dialogue, opening quotation marks should be used on each; that isn't done here.)

I'm not usually a fan of anthropomorphized bear stories when the bears interact with humans. But Bear in this case is obviously fictional; when we first see him, he's reading a book and wearing an alphabet sweater. The illustrations are a bit too basic for my taste (especially Bear, whose paws are drawn so simply that it looks odd when he's "holding" a pencil). The illustrations are really secondary to the text, anyway. This is a book about writing, and the characters and setting are almost irrelevant.

I almost feel like I'm missing something here. That could be because there are two previous books in this series. Maybe they do a better job of explaining Adelaide and Bear's relationship. As it is, I feel like I've been dropped into the middle of a story, and I have no idea why there's a bear sitting in a quiet corner of the classroom.

Thank you to NetGalley and Capstone Editions for providing a digital ARC.

[Fazila · Rating 5 out of 5]

FULL REVIEW

Thank you NetGalley and Capstone for providing me with an ARC of this book. I had a great time reading it and it was such a quick read for me. I think it is vibrant, colorful and inspirational at the same time. The book is filled with positivity and urges you to be creative and not let go. It makes you want to try and keep trying and encourages you to write despite your hesitancy. I loved the lyrical way it was written. The illustrations were stunning. The multi-cultural representation is also notable in the book. I think this would be a fun read for young kids who are in Grade 1 and Grade 2. I'll be trying to get a copy for my kids as well. I gave it 5 stars. I highly recommend it and definitely check it out.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the idea behind this book and I thought that the illustrations used were really nice too.
The book would be good to encouraging younger children and little minds to write and to keep their focus to complete the task as I can imagine there is a lot that can take your attention away when you are just starting to learn how to do it. The idea is delivered in a good way that is easy to follow.

[Etienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good and educative book/story about the art of writing. Well adapted for children and with a bunch of useful tips to develop creative writing, again for children 7-8 years old. Cool concept and well executed!

[Karen Stallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bears Make Best Writing Buddies by Oliver, Carmen

Adelaide loves writing. Bear loves writing. But Theo does NOT love writing. Thankfully, Adelaide and Bear are ready to team up and persuade the entire class, including Mrs. Fitz-Pea, that Bears make the best writing buddies. After all, who better to teach you how to fish and forage for new ideas than a bear? This third picture book in Carmen Oliver's Bears Make the Best...series is sure to encourage even the most reluctant writer to write a story.

As a young child I often struggled when it came to creative writing, for school or even in my diary! This is a great story for elementary students who are just beginning to read and write. I found it full of inspiration and encouragement to keep on writing even when you are stumped for ideas to put on the paper.

The illustrations are beautiful and really help bring the whole story together.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from the Publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was received as an ARC from Capstone - Capstone Editions in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved this book so much that I kept asking myself the question as I was reading each page "where was this book when I was a kid?" I know a lot of children will not only love this book but be inspired by this book to complete writing assignments and inspire to be young writers themselves. The illustrations were adorably breathtaking as well and very eye-catchy so children will be drawn that way as well. The story was very creatively descriptive which will make children so intrigued with this book that they won't even realize they are learning.

We will consider adding this title to our Picture Book collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

[Engel Dreizehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Copy...creative way to spark the writing juices or/and undo the writer block syndrome with the help of a friendly, book loving bear! I did find the illustrations cute and creative, matching the creative themes.

[Leah Horton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the concept of this book. Helping kids with writing stories in a new and encouraging way. I liked the idea of the beat being the helpful one, So anyone can find their inner “bear” to help them.

I liked the illustrations. The colors were bright and the style was pleasing.

I didn’t totally connect to it and I’m not sure why that was. Overall it was a good helpful story.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Bears Make the Best Writing Buddies is the 3rd book in a series for young readers by Carmen Oliver. Due out 1st Jan 2020 from Capstone, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

This is a beautifully written, engaging book with age appropriate writing prompts for young readers. The art, by Jean Claude, is whimsically appealing and invites readers to take a closer look. It's a silly and fun book, with a sweater-clad bear helping with a young friend's writer's block. The message is upbeat and positive and encouraging. The kids in the classroom are varied and representative with different ethnicities and abilities. They work together to encourage one another and solve their writing assignment.

This would be a fine selection for a classroom or library, as well as a good gift to introduce a youngster to journaling and writing for fun.

Five stars. There aren't that many books aimed at young kids which encourage writing on a personal level as a valuable activity which can be enjoyable and fun. This is a good one.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adelaide is a prolific writer. She sees one day that her classmate Theo is struggling with writing a story. She immediately kicks into action. She goes to retrieve her friend Bear who is relaxing in a quiet corner reading and says,

"Come on," she coaxed. "There's someone who needs our help."

Adelaide and Bear work together to help bring Theo success in his writing endeavours and also help to the entire class. She knows from experience that Bears makes the best writing buddies and goes on to tell why throughout the story.

Bear will encourage you to face your fears and write the story that belongs only to you, one written in your own voice. If you happen to get writer's block Bear takes you fishing and foraging for new ideas to help you create your story. Just stepping away, or standing up and giving a stretch, helps you regroup your thoughts thus making new exciting ones to start buzzing in your head. Bear shares some technicalities of writing and when they are implemented into your story he becomes a high-fiving, roaring cheerleader, always encouraging and giving positive feedback.

The illustrations are wonderful: colourful, expressive and very kid-friendly. This is the third picture book in Carmen Oliver's "Bears Make the Best" series. This would be an excellent resource to teach reluctant writers to become successful writers at the elementary school level. I highly recommend this book.

[Jen KD · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It’s like a cross between a writing buddy’s how to be a cheerleader guide and a writer’s workshop tutorial! Adelaide cheers on her classmate Theo who is in a writing slump. With the help of Bear, who is the ideal writing buddy, Theo’s ideas start flowing again and he can’t stop filling his notebook with page after page. Bear has some great advice, including: Never run away from a blank page, Write the story only you can tell, Leave finger spaces, Take a break, Use the five senses, Write from your heart, Wrap up, revise...
Kudos to the author and illustrator for representing diversity in this book. It is so important for children not only to have a “window” into the literary world, but to see themselves portrayed in “mirrors” as well. The author and illustrator both honor all children when declaring that “There’s nothing you can’t say when it is from your heart. Because your voice is your voice - no two are the same.” All too often I find that new books take the easy way out of diversity by making all of the characters animals, but this pair went for it and it paid off! Keep doing what you’re doing.

[Stephanie Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

After I finished this book I want a Bear writing buddy. Maybe he can help me write these reviews. The story follows Adelaide who is in her writing class and decided to help her classmate with his assignment. She finds Bear who is reading a story and proceeds to explain why bears make the best writing buddies. The story teaches us that the possibilities are endless and that we shouldn't give up on what we think we want to do. That we can take from our own life, or from our imaginations and create wonderful art.

[Amber Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bears Make the Best Writing Buddies is a perfect book to introduce the writing process and eliminate some of the fear surrounding it. It was fun, encouraging, engaging and entertaining. I would love to see this book in every 2nd grade classroom as an introduction and reminder of the writing process.

[Rather.be.reading1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book and the message it conveyed! The illustrations were so cute and the little details really made it stand out. Any book that encourages literacy is a winner in my book. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Jennifer Newell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book for early writers. This is a step by step method to write a story with you Bear writing buddy. I think this is fun and very encouraging for young students. I would recommend this to family and friends.

Thanks to netgalley for complimentary copy. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Sequel to one of my favorites !m

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bears Make Best Writing Buddies is a picturebook written by Carmen Oliver and illustrated by Jean Claude. Adelaide loves writing. Bear loves writing. But Theo does NOT love writing. Thankfully, Adelaide and Bear are ready to team up and persuade the entire class, including Mrs. Fitz-Pea, that Bears make the best writing buddies. After all, who better to teach you how to fish and forage for new ideas than a bear?

Bears Make Best Writing Buddies is a fun and enjoyable book that encourages the reader to write their own story. I love that the book acknowledges that the process is hard. Even successful writers hit stumbling blocks and days when the words do not flow, so when books ignore that fact that it can be frustrating bother me. Here Oliver gives strategies to get words down on the page, to keep the story moving, and to figure out what happens next. I really like that the book also points out that first drafts are there to be reread, reworked, and reimagined rather than the final story. I think this book would be a great story to share with any young writer, particularly those that get caught up in the self doubt or cycle of thinking they have nothing to say. It would also be a great tool in classrooms before a writing assignment to help foster inspiration, courage, and perseverance in the class's writing.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading this picture book. This book would be perfect for those young children beginning to read and write. It is filled with inspiration and encouragement to keep on writing even when you are stumped for ideas. The illustrations were super cute and complimented the story perfectly.I think that teachers can even do an inquiry on writing and use this book to introduce creative writing to their young students.

See my full review on my blog: kaitlynscupoftea.home.blog

[Felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know this is a book for children, but I think all writers will find this book helpful. I love how they made writer’s block, the creative process, and structure simplistic. Even with the minimal way of explaining, each part of the process is still important and well explained. I can see it helping children who need to write stories, as well as adults who want to go back to the basics. The illustrations are beautiful and help bring the entire book together. A must read for all writers, young and old!

[Rheetha Lawlor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provided by NetGalley
With a writing club that has taken off, this book is not needed for my group. But I will say that even with high school students, this book is super cute and could even help some of our students in self-contained classes. In fact, it might be a fun assignment for my own students to write a book for children who struggle with certain classes. But overall, a well done book that cleverly inserts the writing process into a doable/easy to understand book.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love books that bring the magic of the writing world to young readers. This book does just that with delightful illustrations and sweet characters. I didn't exactly understand the advice hidden in the metaphor, but it was cute.

For fans of The Plot Chickens. Definitely worth a look.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bears Make the Best Writing Buddies employs an imaginative narrative to share some writing tips with children. From finger-spacing to using your senses, the ideas range from basic to some more complex strategies. This is the third in a series of pictures books “Bears Make the Best”) I look forward to sharing this book with my writing students!

[Emily Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for 1st-4th graders that need a little encouragement for their writing. Sweet and smart in the way it teaches some elements necessary for writing. Can't wait to pick up the other books in the series. I received this digital review copy from Netgalley.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children will chuckle about a bear who helps students write. Bright, beautiful illustrations of diverse children will capture the attention of all readers. Teachers and parents can use this book to talk about the writing process. A fun book for all!

[Sarah- Pupsandprose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bears Make the Best Writing Buddies is about a boy who is struggling with writing until a classmate notices and decides to help him by going to bear because “bears make the best writing buddies”

Together the bear and the girl help him to grow his confidence in writing. The bear gives various strategies and words of encouragement.

I think this book would be a nice supplement for when children are first learning how to write. Although I think that may be the only context in which this book would work.

The flow of the writing/ plot felt a bit stiff or awkward at times. It didn’t quite have that rhythmic flow that I love in a children’s book.

What I like most about this book is the message that everyone struggles with something at some point, in this book it is writing, and that’s okay. It’s okay to need help, and you’re not the only one having a tough time. I also loved that on one of the illustrations the characters were diverse- different races, genders, and abilities/ disabilities.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun story. My class enjoyed it and enjoyed getting to hear the author speak at our school!

[Deana Metzke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book to use to help introduce the writing process or motivate students while in stuck in their writing.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

“There’s nothing you can’t say when it comes from your heart. Because your voice is your voice—no two are the same.”

A read aloud to help cover the basics of story writing.