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!”

Topsy and Tim go to the zoo

By Jean and Gareth Adamson

For Ages: 3 and above

No. of Pages: 32

Publisher: Ladybird Books, London

Year: 1960

ISBN: 978-1-40930-084-7

Television show: CBeebies

Topsy and Tim are a couple of lively children through whom children get to learn about school, going out, friends and a whole lot of new experiences.

Enjoy a trip to the zoo with Topsy and Tim as they get to meet several animals but are happy to come back hometo their loving pets.

Excerpt

‘Look!’ said Tim. ‘Horses in football jerseys.’ The zebras showed how they could kick. One kicked another with his back hooves.

‘We don’t want those zebras at home,’ said Dad. ‘They might kick us.’ 

Papa Bear goes on Diet

By Maggie Wee-Ha

Year: 2003

Publisher: System Publishing, Malaysia

Age: 4 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture book

Papa Bear has been cautioned by his doctor about being overweight. So Mama Bear is enthusiastic in her efforts to help him lose weight. Papa Bear is cut-off from his honey drink, honey chicken and chocolate milk.

He’s a good sport though and perseveres with his goal to become healthy. 

Excerpt

Papa Bear ate his breakfast silently.

His family ate their breakfast happily.

“You always make a delicious breakfast on Sundays, Mama,” said Little Bessy

Papa Bear sighed. 

Disney’s Brother Bear

Year: 2003

Publisher: Chuang Yi Publishing Pte.  Ltd., Singapore

Age: 6 – 10 years

No. of Pages: 46

Book Type: Graphic Novel

ISBN:  978 9 81241 669 8

This brilliant graphic novel based on Disney’s blockbuster animated movie, Brother Bear will cheer any comic book lover.    

Brother Bear is heartwarming tale set in ancient times and celebrates the special bond between man and animals.

A young impetuous boy is turned into a bear and he must journey through treacherous terrain to see himself change back into a human being again. This journey also transforms his perspective on life, brotherhood and kinship with nature.

This is a great way to introduce young ones to the colorful world of comics.

Paddington at the Palace

Author: Michael Bond

Illustrator: R. W. Alley

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 24

Publisher: Harper Collins, UK

Year: 1986

And here’s adorable Paddington again – this time on a visit to the Palace.

It’s a beautiful day when Paddington and Mr. Gruber set out to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately, the bear has a bad time in the crowd and ends up missing the parade. Just when all seems glum, a man in a bowler hat asks the policeman at the gate to let them in so Paddington can get a proper photograph!

Then they know, someone in the Palace likes bears and has let them in.

Excerpt

“Look,” said a small boy, pointing at Paddington. “One of the soldiers has dropped his hat.”

“It’s what they call a busby, dear,” said his mother.

Paddington jumped to his feet. “I’m not a busby,” he cried. “I’m a bear!”

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.

Brown Bear gets in Shape (I am Reading)

Text: Alan Durant

Illustrations: Annabel Hudson

Year: 2003

Publisher: Kingfisher Publications, London

Age: 4 to 8 years

No. of Pages: 48

Book Type: Chapter book for new readers

ISBN:  978 0 75341 138 5

One gets to see hundreds of bears when reading children’s books – it’s a favorite with most authors.

The adorable little Brown Bear here is no exception. This book from the I am Reading series is ideal for young readers who are ready to graduate from picture books to the next level.

Brown Bear in the Dark is about tackling imaginary fears. Brown is startled awake by a crash and a thump! He soon imagines the worst, from a bear-eating-monster to theorizing that the sun has fallen out of the sky.

Brown Bear gets in Shape chronicles Brown Bear's futile attempts to get his tubby tummy in shape. Soon, he gets talking to his friends and each one has a suggestion for him. He goes on different diets and sees no change. His kindly friends, then, help him realize that bears are meant to have tubby tummies.

Excerpt

“My tummy is still round and tubby. I’ll never be able to change my shape.”

Bunny looked at Brown Bear. “Brown Bear,” she said, “I like your shape. It’s, well, bear-shaped.”

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.

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.  

Dear Deer - A book of homophones

By Gene Barretta

Year: 2007

Publisher: Square Fish Books, USA

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 38

ISBN: 978-0-31262-899-4

Our kids haven’t quite had as much fun with words as with this book on homophones.

Under the guise of an exchange of letters between a “Dear Deer” and an “Aunt Ant”, this book provides wholesome reading pleasure for little ones.  It employs an exciting range of homophones, some hilarious and some quite puzzling resulting in some unusual and weird situations. Check out the excerpt! :-)

Excerpt

The WHALE was ALLOWED to WAIL ALOUD.

The BEAR had to PAUSE to BARE his PAWS.

HEY, the elephant THREW a pail THROUGH  the big bale of HAY! 

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!”

Bedtime, Billy Bear!

Author: Miriam Moss

Illustrator: Anna Currey

Year: 2007

Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 32

ISBN:  978 0 23001 464 0

This charming bedtime tale encompasses most concerns of a child – going to bed without mama, having a sitter, fear of the dark, imagining noises. And, it's all packed elegantly into a heart-warming story centered around a family of bears.

Billy Bear’s mom is going out for her pottery class and he can’t quite get himself to sleep.

It’s adorable and so typical of a little one when they transfer their fears on to their favorite toy, in this story, Rabbit. 

Lucy, his sitter, kindly explains that his mom will be back, like always.

The illustrations and the story do reach out to you.

Excerpt

Mum read Billy a story and then kissed him goodnight.

“You’ve forgotten to sing our song,” said Billy.

“I’ve got to go to pottery now,” said Mum. “But here’s Lucy. She’s going to sing with you tonight.”

Mum tucked Billy in.

“Goodnight, Billy. Sleep tight!” she said.