Okay, there are no beets or Battlestar Galactica, or sadly, no Dwight Schrute/Jim Halpert. But every time I even say the word ‘bears’, I hear this phrase. If you have no idea what I am talking about that’s okay just start watching The Office because you should know this quote.
We start below the Northern Lights lit sky under a blanket of snow in mama bear’s den where she sleeps with her newborn cubs. As spring arrives, the trio go out into the world to discover new season. The cubs learn to play and grow quickly which takes them into summer when they eat red berries. They eat salmon and find honey and then dig another den as fall rolls around. The baby bears must grow big and their fur must get thick so that they can sleep for the winter.
What did we learn?
We learned about the four seasons and the bounty each one brings and that bears hibernate.
Why I like it:
George is into any book that involves a mama bear and her babies. I also like that we can talk about each season and it’s a great explanation of hibernation. Although I don’t think George believes that some animals sleep the entire winter.
I wish I could hibernate.
Keving Henkes has about 50 books under his belt and you will no doubt start recognizing his work at your local library or bookstore. You will also see many of his books on this blog – I love him.
In this book, old bear goes to sleep for the winter and dreams about the seasons. Each season is whimsical: spring has crocuses the size of trees, summer rains blueberries, in fall everything is red/orange/brown including the salmon and in winter the stars shine different colours onto the winter wonderland.
I like this book because I love the idealization of each season. Spring looks like my Vancouver spring that I miss so much now living in Toronto. But here in Ontario, we get the fantasy fall found in the book.
What did we learn?
About the seasons and about hibernation.
Why I like it
Old Bear is simple text and teaches kids about the seasons in a very practical, beautiful way.
I really enjoy Ame Dyckman’s books. They are always quirky with randomly hilarious characters and good lessons. This one is about a little girl whose kite string gets snapped one day. Her kite lands on the tummy of a sleeping bear, who then rolls over and accidentally snaps her kite.
She is outraged at how horrible he is and stomps her way home disrupting a picnic (between an old goat and a squirrel) being quite horrible herself. Bear, in turn, is outraged and wants to show her what being horrible really is. But will he get the chance? Or will the little girl realize it was an accident and apologize for being horrible?
What did we learn?
We learned that accidents happen and to control your temper.
Why I like it
I love the cartoon-like illustrations and it’s a fantastic lesson for my son who has a habit of losing his cool at the slightest of things.
Hope you enjoy these picks! And as always,
Happy Reading,
Curious in Wonderland
Recent Comments