Grandpa Bear’s Fantastic Scarf

By Gillian Heal

Year: 1996

Publisher: Beyond Words Publishing, Inc., USA

Age: 6 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 88522 341 2

Little Bear is excited to learn about Grandpa Bear’s extraordinary scarf.

Grandpa Bear explains how his scarf grows as he grows. Its beautiful colors reflect his life’s journey and every bit of it is filled with warm and some not-so-warm memories. Little Bear understands and can’t wait to get started on his own.

This book certainly has some nuggets of wisdom and astute insights about life’s journeys though some may be a mite too deep for young ones to comprehend. 

Excerpt

Dreaming about colors and feeling rather hungry with all this thinking, the Little Bear said hopefully, “I like honey.”

“There!” cried Grandpa Bear. “That’s your first color. Think of the color of honey!”

Let’s go home, Little Bear!

Text: Martin Waddell

Illustrations: Barbara Firth

Year: 1991 (2005)

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Age: 5 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84428 492 4

This delightfully, charming story of Little Bear and Big Bear walking back home through snow makes for imaginative reading.

Little Bear thinks he hears a Plodder when Big Bear explains is the sound of his feet in the snow. He then hears a Dripper which turns out to be ice dripping into the stream. They encounter many more sounds until they reach home. Big Bear tucks Little Bear into a warm blanket and weaves a story of
Plodders, Drippers and Ploppers until both are fast asleep.

Excerpt

“I thought I heard something!” Little Bear said.

“What did you hear?” said Big Bear.

“Drip, drip, drip,” said Little Bear. “I think it’s a Dripper!”

Sam’s Snowflake

Text: Gillian Shields

Illustrations: Rosie Reeve

Year: 2008

Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books, London

Age: 2 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, paperback

ISBN: 978 0 23053 178 9

This is a gentle Christmas story that explores the deep bond that children forge with their dads.

Little Sam can’t wait to do fun things with his dad but he’s gone away to ‘fetch a special Christmas surprise’.

As Christmas Eve slowly fades into a cold, dark night Sam worries that his dad might get lost. He makes a glittery star that he puts up at the highest window to guide his father back home.

The book offers a gentle opportunity to explain to little ones, especially those prone to separation anxiety that parents come back. 

Oh yes, there’s a generous smattering of glitter through the pages too! :-)

Excerpt

Sam couldn't wait for the snow to come.

Every Christmas, Dad helped him to make a snow bear, took him toboganning and played roly-poly snowball fights. 

Rumble in the Jungle

Text: Giles Andreae, Wikipedia

Illustrator: David Wojtowycz

Year: 1996

Publisher: Orchard Books, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 1 86039 660 7

This book is just right for all those little ones who dream about adventures in the jungles. Rumble in the Jungle is essentially a collection of witty poems, each focused on a specific animal - crocodiles, lions, elephants and the rest!

The illustrations burst with color and vitality boosted by the use of plentiful primary colors to engage babies too!  :-)

This book is a keeper. :-)

Excerpt

The night has started falling

But the jungle never sleeps,

The vultures circle slowly

While the leopard softly creeps.

Bears!

By Paul Stickland

For Ages: 2 and above

No. of Pages: 26

Publisher: Ragged Bears Publishing, UK

Year: 2001

ISBN: 978 1 85714 222 8

Every once in a while, one comes across a must-have book. Well, here’s a beautiful one.

Bears is a endearing story about a happy little boy who, one night, finds himself playing host to countless warm, furry bears who are ‘happy as can be’. They've apparently come for a party and soon the house is jam-packed with bears until the little boy calls his parents to help organize the astonishing gathering.

The book captures the vivid imagination of little ones with exceptional paintings that stretch from corner to corner and glow with warmth and bliss. Hues of cozy yellows and snug purples paint a picture of unique contentment with life that mostly children seem to possess. The lyrical prose simply makes this book a winner.         

Excerpt

It started out with just a few

and then their numbers grew and grew,

until you really couldn’t hide

from bears who now were here, inside. 

Paddington at the Zoo

Author: Michael Bond

Illustrator: R.W. Alley

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 24

Publisher: Harper Collins, UK

Year: 1984

Some of us grew up with Paddington bear – adorable, clever and, if I may say so, pampered- in a good way. 

In this book, the little brown bear visits the zoo with a large pile of marmalade sandwiches. He's a little miffed when the gatekeeper mistakes him for a pet and refuses him entry. Of course, Judy and Jonathan convince him otherwise.

Paddington visits the birds at the aviary, the Siberian Wild Dogs, elephants and lions who all seem to like his sandwiches, much to his dismay! 

Excerpt

The elephant didn’t wait to be asked either. It simply made a loud trumpeting noise – “Whoooohoowooo!” – and reached down with its trunk.

Paddington watched as his third sandwich disappeared. He began to feel that going to the zoo was not such a good idea after all.

Gruff the Grump

Author: Steve Smallman

Illustrator: Cee Biscoe

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 26

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Year: 2009

ISBN: 978-1-56148-669-4

Now here’s a beautiful story with brilliant illustrations that make you want to frame up a couple of pages to hang on the wall.

This tender story about a grumpy bear discovering kindness and eventually, happiness in his lonely existence is bound to evoke feelings of empathy amongst young readers.

The story is narrated extremely well. It’s not poetry but you almost want it to be. Don’t be surprised if your children pick up a few sentences and repeat them like rhymes. But then, it isn’t a rhyme, either.

I must say, meaningful stories (for children) like this are rare and a find like this ought to be treasured.

Excerpt

Gruff was a bear.

A great big bear.

A great big, scowly, growly, grizzly grump of a bear.

He lived all alone in a musty, dusty old cave where nobody ever came to visit. The other animals hid when they saw him coming. They called him, ‘Gruff the Grump’.

“HUMPH!” went Gruff the Grump to show he didn’t care. 

Big Hug: The Jungle House

Author: John Grace

Illustrator: Stuart Trotter

Publisher: Ladybird Books, UK

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 26

ISBN: 978 0 72141 433 8

Big Hug is a gentle blue bear who lives on Coconut Island.

Max the Cat and Billy the Rabbit set up a jungle house which is occupied by a mean-tempered elephant. They enlist the help of many friends to get the elephant to leave the house but the angry giant is in no mood to listen. Until Big Hug gets help from a little friend. :-)

The Big Hug series from Ladybird Books is ideal for pre-readers and beginner readers. What makes the text stand-out is the presence of repetitive phrasing and the use of several easy words to encourage children to read.

Excerpt

Max and Billy went to see the tiger.

He was very brave.

They told him about the elephant with big ears.

Tiger went to the jungle house. “Roarr-r!” went the tiger. 

Other books in the Big Hug series include

• A Busy Day
• A Quiet Walk
• Hide and Seek Counting 
• Rainbow Colours

It’s Mine!

Author: Tracey Corderoy

Illustrator: Caroline Pedler

Year: 2012

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN: 978 1 84895 482 3

There just won’t be enough books for little ones on sharing. :-) This book from Little Tiger Press is outstanding, though.

The object in question is a furry little tiger toy, which is soft to touch, on the pages too!

Baby Bear loves Rory, his striped toy and finds it hard to share it with his friend, Lulu. Mummy arrives to make peace and takes them to the park. After some time of playing by themselves, which is no fun at all, they realize, it is fun to share and play with each other,  after all.

Excerpt

Slowly, Baby Bear held out another toy for Lulu.

“But I don’t want him,” Lulu frowned. “I want Rory.”

“Why don’t we go to the park?” smiled Mummy. “I’ll bring Rory along with me.”

“OK,” mumbled Baby Bear and Lulu.

Max has a fish – Puffin Young Readers – Level 1

Author:  Wiley Blevins

Illustrator: Ben Clanton

Year: 2012

Publisher: Puffin Young Readers, USA

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978-0-448-46294-3

The Puffin Young Readers is a fantastic series for young readers.

The book on Max and his fish is a sweet, simple story with beginner-level words. The longest sentence has only seven words and that appears only once. The rest are much smaller.

Excerpt

The fish looks at Max.

And looks at Max.

And looks at Max.

But the fish cannot dance. 

Other titles in this series

• Level - 1: A new friend
• Level - 1: At the beach 
• Level - 1: Ice Cream Soup
• Level - 1: Nicky Upstairs and Down 
• Level - 1: Play with Blue
• Level - 1: Tiny goes camping 
• Level - 1: Tiny the Birthday Dog 
• Level - 1: Tiny the Snow Dog 

• Level - 2: Cowboy Roy
• Level - 2: Red, White and Blue
• Level - 2: Shape Spotters
• Level - 2: The Garden that we grew  
• Level - 2: The very lonely firefly

• Level - 3: Agapanthus Hum and the Eyeglasses
• Level - 3: Amanda Pig on her own
• Level - 3: Why do birds sing?

Don’t Wake the Bear, Hare!

Text: Steve Smallman

Illustrator: Caroline Pedler

Year: 2010

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 28

ISBN: 978 1 84895 032 0

Here’s another adorable grumpy bear story. :-) (One of my favorites - Gruff the Grump.)

All the little animals of the forest are getting ready for Spring Party Day. They include badger, fox, hare, mice and the ants too!

They tiptoe around and organize the party very quietly so as to not disturb the hibernating bear. If he does wake up, he’s going to be very hungry and grumpy.

Best of all, this story is told in catchy, rhyming verse with illustrations that are witty and colorful. And, oh yes, there are plenty of opportunities for your little ones to engage in sounds – grr… humph… zzzzz…:-)

Excerpt

The lanterns were carefully hung in the trees.

The mice tied up ribbons that danced on the breeze.

They brought in the very last blueberry tart

And their party was now almost ready to start!

Pete and Polo: Nursery Adventure

By Adrian Reynolds

Year: 1999

Publisher: Orchard Books, London

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978 1 84362 845 7

The first day of school is an occasion of trepidation for most children. This Pete and Polo book tries to make the unfamiliar day friendly with a gentle story about Pete and his beloved Polo, a stuffed polar bear. Pete is apprehensive at first. He slowly begins to talk to others and eventually, enjoys his day.

Excerpt

When they arrived at nursery school, there were lots of Mums and Dads and children. 

It was very noisy. All the other children had brought their teddy bears too.  

Disney – Winnie the Pooh – Pooh’s Honey Tree

Adapted by Isabel Gaines

Illustrator: Nancy Stevenson

Year: 1998

Publisher: Random House Children’s Books,  New York

Website: Step into Reading

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN:  978-0-73641-352-9

Website: Winnie the pooh

This book belongs to the Step into reading series – Step 2 which introduces basic vocabulary, short sentences and simple stories. 

Here’s another charming story from Disney's Winnie the Pooh based on A. A. Milne's beloved bear.

Winnie the Pooh bear is hungry and sets out on an adventure to fill his tummy with honey. He follows a bee into the Hundred-Acre Wood and finds that the honeycomb is too high. He gets Christopher Robin to help him on his quest.

Excerpt

Soon he came to a tall tree.

Pooh climbed up the tree.

CRACK!

A branch broke.

Down Pooh fell.

THUMP!

Pooh rubbed his head.

Maybe Christopher Robin could help Pooh get some honey.

Pooh set off to find his friend. 

Goldilocks and the Three Bears - First Readers

Retold by Sue Graves

Illustrator: Priscilla Lamont

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 30

Publisher: Parragon Books, UK

Year: 2006

ISBN: 978 1 44541 211 5

My kids enjoy these First Readers Series and like I've said earlier- get the whole series! :-) This book presents the timeless fairy tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears with expressive illustrations in watercolors. The three bears are adorable and seem to have jumped right out of a child’s toy cupboard. :-)

Excerpt

“Who’s been sleeping in my bed?” said Daddy Bear.

“Who’s been sleeping in my bed?” said Mummy Bear.

“Who’s been sleeping in my bed?” said Baby Bear. “She’s still there!”

Who Stole the Cookies? Puffin Young Readers Level - 2

By Judith Moffatt

Year: 1996

Publisher: Puffin Young Readers, New York

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978-0-448-45795-6

This book belongs to the Puffin Young Readers series for little readers.

This book seems almost entirely based on that childhood rhyme “Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar?”

With clean, non-fussy illustrations that convey the point just perfectly, this book makes for a good starter book for beginners.

Excerpt

I think Squirrel stole the cookies from the cookie jar.

Who, me, did you say?

Not me. No way!

I think Turtle stole the cookies from the cookie jar.

Oh no! Not true!

But here is a clue.

Other titles in this series

• Level - 1: A new friend
• Level - 1: At the beach 
• Level - 1: Ice Cream Soup
• Level - 1: Max has a Fish
• Level - 1: Nicky Upstairs and Down 
• Level - 1: Play with Blue
• Level - 1: Tiny goes camping 
• Level - 1: Tiny the Birthday Dog 
• Level - 1: Tiny the Snow Dog 

• Level - 2: Cowboy Roy
• Level - 2: Red, White and Blue
• Level - 2: Shape Spotters
• Level - 2: The Garden that we grew  
• Level - 2: The very lonely firefly

• Level - 3: Agapanthus Hum and the Eyeglasses
• Level - 3: Amanda Pig on her own
• Level - 3: Why do birds sing?

Baby Bear’s Birthday Hiccups

Author: Penny Little

Illustrator: Lara Jones

Year: 2008

Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books, London

Age: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN: 978-0-230-53176-5

Little Baby Bear’s birthday party is almost over when he’s suddenly hit with a bad case of hiccups.

There follows a series of well-intended remedies. Mummy Bear rubs his tummy, Little Leopard tickles him, Little Hippo gets him to hold his breath and more.

Finally, it’s time for bed and that's when the perfect hiccup cure arrives.

Excerpt

“What you need is to calm down,: said Nanny Giraffe softly.

“And Nanny Giraffe’s kisses are the cure for hiccups.”

She bent down low and gave Baby Bear …

One

Two

Three big kisses!

“All gone?” soothed Nanny Giraffe.

“Hic!” went Baby Bear.