SOLVED. Childrens book about boy who thinks he's a bear or wants to be a bear?? [s]

[Lori]

This was a favorite picture book of my brothers when we were kids in the 70's/early 80's. I have know idea if was published earlier, but I don't think so. The book (ours was paperback) had a white cover with a boy in what looked like a costume of sorts. I think it was a hairy looking coat and I think the coat may have played a role in why the boy thought he was a bear. The story is a bit fuzzy to me but I think the boy thinks he's a bear or wants to be a bear. He may have at some point in the story woken up in a bear cave. Anyone know the book to which I am referring? Thanks!

[Kate]

If it's not really a bear, it could be Max in Where the Wild Things Are by Sendak.

[Lori]

Nope, definitely not Where the Wild Things Are. It's definitely a bear in the book. I want to say that the boy may have awoken in the bear cave with the bear at the end of the story.

[Paco]

Not This Bear. I was searching too and happen to remember.

[Harriet]

Are you sure it was a boy? I've forgotten a similar children's book, about a girl who turns into a bear (and back from it) when she eats certain foods, but I can't remember what. I think honey may have been implicated? The only part I can remember is when she goes down a weir as a bear and then scares off a fisherman and eats his sandwiches to turn back. I THINK I bought it with "Too Big" and "The Dinosaur's packed lunch". Not that that's much help...

[Vera]

I think you're talking about The Bear That Wasn't, by Frank Tashlin. Hope this helps!

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

The Bear That Wasn't is about a real bear who hibernates. He wakes up to find that a factory has been built on top of him, and when he starts walking around people think he's not really a bear but a man wearing a fur coat.

It does have a picture of a bear sleeping in a cave, but I'm pretty sure there's no boy in it. Some covers:

[Lori]

I figured it out finally!! The name of the book is Not this Bear by Bernice Myers. Not This Bear

[Lisa]

Lori wrote: "I figured it out finally!! The name of the book is Not this Bear by Bernice Myers. Not This Bear"

Lori, Great! Thanks.

[Becca]

Harriet wrote: "Are you sure it was a boy? I've forgotten a similar children's book, about a girl who turns into a bear (and back from it) when she eats certain foods, but I can't remember what. I think honey may have been implicated? The only part I can remember is when she goes down a weir as a bear and then scares off a fisherman and eats his sandwiches to turn back."

Harriet, I'm pretty sure your book is Ursula Bear by Sheila Lavelle. I've sent you a message too just in case you don't see this comment!