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Der alte Mann und der Bär

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Book by Janosch

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

1 person is currently reading
57 people want to read

About the author

Janosch

321 books120 followers
Janosch is the pen name of Horst Eckert, one of Germany's most popular authors and illustrators of children's books. His works have won several awards.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
90 (52%)
4 stars
61 (35%)
3 stars
17 (9%)
2 stars
3 (1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Nilguen.
354 reviews156 followers
January 13, 2025
Janosch‘s beautiful story addresses children as well as parents! The winter premise dealing with an old man and a bear is a wonderful platform to explore the meaning of selflessness, sharing and how to leave a footprint in this world.

A must-read in preparation to the festive season 🎄.

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Profile Image for Sara.
28 reviews
January 5, 2024
Sehr süß illustriert und musste lächeln!
Profile Image for Lisa.
65 reviews
October 2, 2023
100 Sterne für den Bären und Vogel 🥺⭐️
Profile Image for Andrea.
924 reviews45 followers
December 19, 2023
Sehr philosophisch, sehr nachdenklich machend. (K)eine Weihnachtsgeschichte, die viel von kleinen leisen Tönen und den Bildern lebt, die Janosch erschafft. Eine Geschichte über den Tod, über Hilfe und unterlassene Hilfe, über Einsamkeit und Freundschaft. Kein Buch, mit dem man Kinder alleine lassen sollte.
Profile Image for Melki.
7,313 reviews2,622 followers
July 7, 2017
A rather strange story of an old man who helps birds. As he grows more frail, he is, in turn, helped by the animals of the forest. Depressing, yet uplifting.

If your child is already morose, this will not improve the little tyke's demeanor.




*I read the English version, The Old Man and the Bear, but there is currently no cover available.
Profile Image for loni.
11 reviews
December 1, 2023
wanted to read a cute christmas short-story but instead the two main characters died… it’s fucking sad
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Terminus.
402 reviews1 follower
December 8, 2023
Aufjedenfall nicht schlecht aber diiiiggggaaaaahhhhh was schreibt der Bruder sowas trauriges 😔
Profile Image for Sofía Rodríguez Pinedo.
147 reviews26 followers
September 24, 2018
If only i could rate this book with 10000 stars as the stars from the bear and the bird . Oh, this book had such a poignant ending 😢
Profile Image for Kole.
432 reviews2 followers
December 13, 2020
Interesting but depressing, if you want to give your child a need for some antidepressants, start them off with this.
Profile Image for Fenja K..
23 reviews
December 26, 2023
Einfach wunderschön
Die Bilder und die Story
Unglaublich traurig aber ruhig
113 reviews14 followers
January 14, 2024
Herzerwärmend und tief traurig
Profile Image for Ponyo.
21 reviews
December 2, 2024
Eine Geschichte zum nachdenken.
Eine typische 'Janosch' Geschichte - ganz wunderbar!
Profile Image for helene.
273 reviews2 followers
April 30, 2025
eine meiner Lieblingsgeschichten von Janosch! Bin mit ihr groß geworden und sie bedeutet mir unglaublich viel.
Profile Image for Ethan.
200 reviews7 followers
September 11, 2025
Ein nettes, aber auch trauriges Buch. Ich habe nicht gewusst, dass es eine Weihnachtsgeschichte ist. Es ist dennoch ein schönes Buch, das ich gern wieder lesen werde.
Profile Image for Paul  Hankins.
770 reviews319 followers
Read
August 2, 2012
Of course, I read the 1985 English translation, THE OLD MAN AND THE BEAR. An older man, misunderstood by the other villagers, befriends songbirds and advocates on their behalf, even if it means sharing the last of his meager resources. Even if it means falling into supplication to the bear. And his example touches each one of the forest creatures.

A tough/tender picture book in that it deals with aging and death, but this is a classic retelling of a Polish story which would serve well as an example of adapting familiar family stories.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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