The Tale of Urso Brunov: Little Father of All Bears

Urso Brunov

by Brian Jacques, Alexi Natchev (Illustrations)

Urso Brunov or Little Father, a bear the size of a thumb, saves a group of animals from a misguided baggy-trousered crybaby known as the Lord of all Sands. 25,000 first printing.

Genres: Picture Books, Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Adventure

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 29, 2003

About the author

James Brian Jacques was an English author celebrated for the Redwall series of children’s fantasy novels and the Castaways of the Flying Dutchman books, along with several collections of short stories that blend adventure, folklore, and the supernatural. Raised in Liverpool, he left school at fifteen and pursued a wide range of occupations, including merchant seaman, truck driver, bus driver, and entertainer, experiences that later enriched the characters and settings of his fiction. His love of literature, encouraged from childhood, remained constant, and he continued writing poems, plays, and stories throughout adulthood. While working as a milkman, he began reading aloud to students at a school for the blind, inspiring him to craft vividly descriptive tales that relied on sound, smell, taste, and touch. These readings evolved into the manuscript for Redwall, which launched a bestselling series known for its heroic quests, detailed feasts, and intense battles between good and evil. The books achieved international popularity, selling millions of copies and being translated into many languages, as well as adapted for television and audio. Jacques also hosted a long-running radio program devoted to opera and maintained strong ties to his hometown. His stories, rooted in memory, imagination, and compassion for young readers, continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

Reviews

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I understand the long history of tales of heroes who are bigger than life and twice as unnatural and have gone more than 50 years without interrogating the concept. Now I find that I do not care for stories about a bold male who does everything better than everyone else.
Otherwise, the little bears are awfully cute. The story itself is quite long and rather verbose by modern standards, and the caricature of The Lord of All Sands may strike readers as racially insensitive or actively offensive.
Altogether, not interested in reading more Jacques, but eager to see more of Natchev's art.

Library copy

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodness gracious! This picture book is by Brian Jacques.

My husband read all the Redwall books aloud to our son, and they LOVED 'em.

Here begins an epic tale from a master of child-sized fantasy. Supplemented by the glorious illustrations of Alexi Natchev.

BEHOLD A SAMPLE OF THE MAGNIFICENT WRITING

I'm going to quote the "Brunov Wintersong":

Hark, the howling winds will blow
bringing ice and sleet and snow.
All the birds have flown away,
yet the Brunov Bears must stay.
Wise old Brunov! Urso Brunov!
He will keep us safe and warm.
We, the bears of Little Father,
do not fear the Winterstorm.

THIS THRILLING ADVENTURE

It's really like a novel, miniaturized into a picture book.

What a way to interest your child in the unique pleasures of reading books:
Not cartoons. Not TV shows. Nothing like a video game.

Instead Brian Jacques has delivered a thrilling adventure through that special pleasure skill called
R.E.A.D.I.N.G.

FIVE STARS, of course!

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happened upon this and picked it up cheap - I was unaware of Jacques' having done any non-Redwall picture books. As I expected, the original tale is done well. The illustrations are attractive, with plenty of detail and rich colors. Not essential by any means, but well above average in comparison to most new picture books of the past 25 years.

[Alaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has not aged well, what with the grotesque caricature of middle easterners. And less offensive but still something that doesn't feel good right now, a Russian-coded hero.

Still, I enjoyed the illustrations, and Jacques' writing is always charming.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love that he is a protector of all. Sometimes you want to read something that is all about justice and good over evil and injustice.

[Aleena Grosjean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've not read a whole lot of Brian Jacques books that weren't of the "Redwall" series, but I must say that I was impressed by this one. It was a very cute story about a charming little bear, "Little Father" of all Bears, who saves the day. Mr. Jacques as usual has brilliant descriptions of everything.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cute little story. I love bear books and this is a quick little read with great pictures!

[Hamster · Rating 5 out of 5]

pictures were great, very vivid colors

[Sengentaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical... I can't wait to share it will all my loved ones...

[Nathan Willard · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a book about an arrogant tiny bear saving his fellow bears from captivity. A little wordy for our 3 year-old, but still held her attention. And bears for us.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the illustrations better than Jacques' text.
More story than most young children would like.