The Christmas Bear

by Axel Scheffler, Axel Scheffler (Illustrator)

When Santa sets off to deliver the presents poor Christmas Bear is left behind. How will Bear make it to Tom's house in time for Christmas morning? With plenty of novelties to play with, from flaps and tabs to wheels and mini pop-ups, little hands will love to follow Christmas Bear's adventures as he travels far and wide.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

12 pages, Hardcover

First published October 23, 1998

About the author

Axel was born in Hamburg, Germany. At school he was good at art, but didn’t think of a career in illustration until he won a cuddly purple cow in a drawing competition.

He moved to England in 1982 to learn English and study illustration at the Bath Academy of Art and then set up home in London. Axel illustrated a number of books for various publishers, and in 1993 Kate suggested him as the illustrator for Julia Donaldson’s first picture book text, A Squash and a Squeeze. This was the start of a hugely successful partnership: their bestselling modern classic, The Gruffalo, has sold over three-and-a-half million copies worldwide, and the TV animation was broadcast on Christmas day 2009.

Axel has illustrated a number of other highly successful books, including Muddle Farm, and his books have been translated into 42 languages.

Axel lives in London with his partner and young daughter.

from http://nosycrow.com/authors-etc/axel-...

Reviews

[Hymerka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Поп-ап книжечки — це особливе задоволення. Хто ж не любить оце все: відкривати віконечка, рухати, крутити? Ілюстрації від Акселя Шеффлера мають багато деталей, тож книжечка працює ще й як віммельбух.

[Bain Family · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interactive, Festive and Busy.

Beautifully illustrated book about a Bear's journey from Santa'[s workshop through icy landscapes, seas and forests to catch up with Santa to be given to the right child. The flaps on each page hide the transport to the next area, so includes the younger reader in finding a way to continue the narrative. The easy reading rhyming structure with a cute story doubled up with the chaotic pictures of each festive scene makes for a good read over the Christmas period.

"It's gorgeous on the galleon, but sailing's much too slow." - Page 5

[Gabriella · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Interactive: tabs to pull
- Questions could be asked before tabs reveal
- Very busy illustrations, clues given
- Funny jokes, rhyming words
- Not much writing: simple, effective: basic plot
- Questions can be related to the child: what other surprises will there be on Christmas day?: discussion, activities can be created from it to relate to Christmas

[Alyssa Ricard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is all about Christmas, however the religious side is left out. Therefore, this may be okay in the classroom. The pop-up pictures make the book very fun and interactive. I loved the illustrations.

[Eilidh]

I find it slightly disturbing that the mice are both workers and gifts. Otherwise a fun story.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute Christmas story with lots of interactive tabs to pull for surprises on each page.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for little kids. Lots of flaps for them to open and tabs for them to pull over and over again. A cute story, too.