Drawing Lessons from a Bear

by David McPhail

A young bear begins to make claw marks on the floor during his usual "how to be a bear" lessons. Soon he's collecting paper and drawing rocks, trees, clouds, birds, and even dinosaurs as he dreams of becoming an artist. With characteristic whimsey and lively watercolors, David McPhail portrays the unusual life of an artist who just happens to have been a bear, and tells how you can be an artist, too.

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Childrens, Fantasy, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2000

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

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book was very cute, and for me it was very motivating. I really liked it.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

In theory, this book will teach picture book readers how to be an artist.

In reality? Nope, only according to the advertising copy on the inside front flap of the hardcover.

CONVINCING?

Goodreaders, you might find the origin story about the bear to be convincing. I did not. For instance, the drawing of the bear in a schoolroom, as the only non-human student -- yet nobody apparently noticed? Except to admire his art?

Almost funny.

The implausibility of a bear going to an art museum, again the only non-human there, and everyone's cool with that???

IF YOU KEEP READING, DAVID'S FANTASY BECOMES EVEN MORE ELABORATE
For instance, the bear humblebrags:

"I've been given mdeals and prizes for my drawings.

I've been offerend big houses and fancy cars..."

WHAT KIND OF WORLD DOES DAVID MC PHAIL LIVE IN?

Honestly!

As for teaching children how to draw, here's the bear's advice to readers:

If you love to draw and you'd rather spend your time drawing than doing just about anything else, I'd say you're well on your way.

I'll give this book FIVE STARS for the dreamers who find this version of reality to be comforting. (I sure do not.)

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know I would have enjoyed this as a kid. Like the bear in this story, I loved to draw! This is an affirming story for young artists (and young bears.)

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun story, adorable illustrations, and great message

[Pamela Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bear cub loves to draw and continues to do so all through his life. Fun end papers give art lessons to the reader.

[Ian McHugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle ode to the power of drawing and the aspiration to be an artist.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Bear tells of his life story, and how he became an artist, and challenges the reader to reach after their dreams of being an artist, even if they can't be a bear.

[Glenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clever picture book geared towards nursery and primary school children. In this story the author uses a bear who wants to be an artist as the main character in order to grab the attention of young readers and encourage them to do things that may seem impossible. By using the improbable artist bear character to illustrate how artists are "made" and what they do to become better artists; the author indirectly encourages children to consider the "possibilities" even in the midst of things that may seem improbable. The author also used the plot to encourage the idea that dreams are possible when time and effort are put forth. The story shows this in the telling of the bear's growth from a cub who liked to draw to a grown bear artist, who spent many years practicing and perfecting his craft. This book would be a great way to provide encouragement for children who may display apprehension to making art for fear that it is not good enough.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bear's mother teaches him about everything it takes to be a bear, but the little bear's passion lies in drawing and art - both of which are not included in "bear-ness." Keeping true to self, the little bear grows, continues to draw and in the end teaches other how to draw.

Illustrations are okay.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can't be a bear, you know, but you can be an artist. Are you an artist? Then say so. Say it softly, or say it loudly for the whole world to hear" I AM AN ARTIST! There. Now you are an artist. For all time and forever. Cutest art inspiration book ever!

[Mark Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think David McPhail wrote this book for me. I'm a children's book illustrator and tell kids, "I've always drawn and will always draw. That's who I am." I'm an artist just like the Bear.

My absolute favorite kids book not illustrated by me!

[RPBYS · Rating 5 out of 5]

More for one on one sharing vs. a story time setting. Great for children who show a passion for the arts at a young age.

[Hope · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm sorry to say that this story came off as if the author was writing an assignment an hour before it was due in class. The concept is nice, but the story is pretty terrible.

[Siomara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bear that loves to draw draw draw!!

[Amanda B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this book had been around when I was young.

[Michael Hitchcock · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bear cannot deny his nature or his calling to be an artist. He draws every day. He becomes an art teacher and he makes kids yell that if they've ever picked up a pencil, they're an artist.

It's that feel good everyone's a winner kind of thing I usually hate, but targeted to 4-8 year olds, who are just becoming aware enough to know they are not skilled at drawing. So this incredibly didactic story gets them to, on the one hand, accept that they are already artists, but then on the other hand, it stresses the years of daily practice needed to become any good at it. So as a lesson, the content is perfect.

But nothing really happens in the story. It's just a bear who collects paper and draws and whose mother recognizes that desire and facilitates it.

I will say the art was bright and beautiful and the inside cover had a giant two-page illustration of a tree with instructions how to draw and think about drawing different sections.

As a book it was fine and nice, but as an actual art lesson, it was right on.