Big Brown Bear Goes to Town

by David McPhail, Mr. John O'Connor (Illustrator)

Poor Rat! Every time it rains, his little yellow car fills with water. And bailing it out by himself is always buckets of trouble. Thank goodness his friend Big Brown Bear is there with a smart--and sneaky --solution. But to pull it off, Bear will first need a ride to town. . . .

Children are sure to respond to the subtle themes of friendship and helping others in this cozy companion to Big Brown Bear's Up and Down Day .

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

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

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Problem solving with cars? Admittedly what comes to mind if I think about a book on this topic is NOT... "How to rescue Rat's car?"

But hey, this is a picture book. And you can be sure, at least if you're familiar with David McPhail's work, that every single page will contain something gorgeous.

YES, YES, YES

Especially wonderful, in this playful fiction is a certain illustration:

The hilarious, impossible, picture of Rat giving Big Brown Bear a ride to town. It's worth the price of the book right there! (And yes, Goodreaders, you'll see this same picture on the book's cover as well.)

Clever-clever-clever ending, for sure!

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

9/20/18 Read with Julia.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big Brown Bear, while waiting for his oatmeal to cool, goes out to check his mail. He discovers his a friends' car full of water from a recent rainfall. Helpfully, Bear empties out the car. When Rat emerges from his home with a bucket, planning on bailing out his car, he thanks Bear for doing it for him.

Both Bear and Rat think it would be a great idea if Rat could bring his car inside when it rains. Alas, his house is much too small. Bear has an idea, but he's not ready to share it quite yet. He needs to make a trip into town. Rat also needs to head into town so they carpool. First stop is the bank so that Bear can get some money. Next stop, the hardware store where Bear emerges with a mysterious box. Rat questions Bear about his secretiveness; it's unlike him.

When they get back to their homes, Rat covers his eyes while Bear reveals his surprise: a mailbox! No, not for mail. Rat does not get much mail. For his car! To repay the favor, Rat shares his brown sugar with Bear while they eat the oatmeal which is finally cooled.

Cute story, but I hate when authors try to make "chapter books" out of their picture books.

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book about friendship and thinking of others.

[Chak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Nice things happen. Everyone is good.

[Tuyet Tran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big Brown Bear goes to town to buy his friend, Rat, a gift. He is so thoughtful and considerate for others. I like to read this book to little children so they can cherish their friendship.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book. Great book about friendship.