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Brave Bear
Easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions take little ones through a grounding series of basic yoga poses. Simple, descriptive language invites young children to pretend to be a bear, moving their furry bodies into specific yoga poses designed to both energize and inspire bravery.
- GenresPicture Books
16 pages, Board book
First published January 1, 2022
About the author
Tessa Strickland
30 books5 followersSee also: Stella Blackstone
Tessa Strickland is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of independent children’s publisher Barefoot Books. As Stella Blackstone, she has written many bestselling picture books for children. As an editor, she has worked with authors and illustrators all over the world.
—from http://www.arvon.org/tutors/tessa-str...
Tessa Strickland is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of independent children’s publisher Barefoot Books. As Stella Blackstone, she has written many bestselling picture books for children. As an editor, she has worked with authors and illustrators all over the world.
—from http://www.arvon.org/tutors/tessa-str...
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 5, 2023
12/28/2022 - My toddler isn’t ready for yoga yet, but I liked having a board book with more than a few words per page. I will check this book out again when she is ready.
4/4/2023 - My girl is still too young for the poses, but she enjoyed the illustrations!
4/4/2023 - My girl is still too young for the poses, but she enjoyed the illustrations!
June 9, 2022
Children in the illustrations follow the movements of a polar bear and brown bear to do calming yoga poses. They reach and stretch and slowly breathe in and out.
The illustrations are really cute with bright colors! The text does a good job of explaining the poses, and the artwork clearly shows what movements you are supposed to make in each pose.
I really appreciated that the children in the illustrations are diverse and from many races. They have glasses, different hairstyles, and one little girl has some sort of medical respirator. It just shows that yoga truly is for everyone, no matter their abilities.
Unlike some of the other books in this series, the bears guide us through all the poses in the book. It doesn't switch to another animal halfway through, like the "Calm Bunny" book did. I appreciate the consistency.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
The illustrations are really cute with bright colors! The text does a good job of explaining the poses, and the artwork clearly shows what movements you are supposed to make in each pose.
I really appreciated that the children in the illustrations are diverse and from many races. They have glasses, different hairstyles, and one little girl has some sort of medical respirator. It just shows that yoga truly is for everyone, no matter their abilities.
Unlike some of the other books in this series, the bears guide us through all the poses in the book. It doesn't switch to another animal halfway through, like the "Calm Bunny" book did. I appreciate the consistency.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
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June 12, 2022See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/brave-...
BRAVE BEAR is a delightful board book that uses a short rhyme around a bear to walk children through yoga moves for a short flow. Each page includes a phrase with the bear, such as "Feel the grass beneath your feet," and then shows children doing a pose that is described in terms of the steps to get into it. The book can be read as a rhyme, ignoring the details around the poses, or in full, as children do the poses along with the story.
What I loved: This is such a great introduction to yoga and simple movements for preschoolers. Children will enjoy learning how to do the poses and connecting with the bear in the story. The rhyme is cute and rolls off the tongue about a bear starting the day, and the steps capture each moment well. The illustrations of bears and children doing each of the poses are great for little ones to follow along with, and the descriptions below make it easy to understand how to get into each one.
The colorful images bring some extra fun to the story. The diversity of children throughout is also really great to see! The font is easy to read and can be seen even while doing the poses, making this a great pick for early yoga.
Final verdict: A delightful way for preschoolers to do some yoga, BRAVE BEAR is a cute, rhyming book with accompanying poses that will charm young readers.
BRAVE BEAR is a delightful board book that uses a short rhyme around a bear to walk children through yoga moves for a short flow. Each page includes a phrase with the bear, such as "Feel the grass beneath your feet," and then shows children doing a pose that is described in terms of the steps to get into it. The book can be read as a rhyme, ignoring the details around the poses, or in full, as children do the poses along with the story.
What I loved: This is such a great introduction to yoga and simple movements for preschoolers. Children will enjoy learning how to do the poses and connecting with the bear in the story. The rhyme is cute and rolls off the tongue about a bear starting the day, and the steps capture each moment well. The illustrations of bears and children doing each of the poses are great for little ones to follow along with, and the descriptions below make it easy to understand how to get into each one.
The colorful images bring some extra fun to the story. The diversity of children throughout is also really great to see! The font is easy to read and can be seen even while doing the poses, making this a great pick for early yoga.
Final verdict: A delightful way for preschoolers to do some yoga, BRAVE BEAR is a cute, rhyming book with accompanying poses that will charm young readers.
April 30, 2022
Part of a series introducing youngsters to yoga, this board book features two bear cubs, one brown and one white, who lead by example. Little ones and the adults in their lives can follow the written instructions and the visual demonstrations as they hit the floor with their yoga mats and greet the day. Starting by curling up tightly, then standing as tall as possible, pressing together first palms and then hands, jumping, and even making cactus arms--I'd never heard of this before!--all the while breathing in and out, before taking a moment to center themselves and preparing for what the new day will bring, the diverse cast of young characters in this book are clearly ready for what's in store for them. A helpful introduction to yoga and mindfulness, the book is colorful but somehow calming, and all the youngsters and those two bears seem to enjoy the activities.
October 19, 2022
Colourful, family-friendly, full of lots of pleasant attributes we all want in our young (and ourselves, let's not forget) – and Spanish/English bilingual! No end of good qualities are here in this tiny lesson in yoga, based around a bear coming out of hibernation, and giving us a handful only of the poses and stretches, but enough to be getting on with. I don't do anything like yoga – but I will give thumbs firmly up for this.
April 6, 2023
12/28/2022 - Great pictures and descriptions! Will read it again when I’m a little older and can do the poses.
4/4/2023 - Read again with Momma!
4/4/2023 - Read again with Momma!
August 1, 2025
Read this to my newborn. She smiled at my attempts to follow the instructions. Will re-read when she can stand. (It was gifted to us.) 😅
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews