BEAR-y Cute Reads
Just as bears go into hibernation for the winter, I too like to hibernate in the evenings with a good book! Below are some BEAR-y cute picture books for you and your little one to enjoy while taking part in the bear’s winter practice this season!
For fans of The Little Red Sleigh, here is a joyful Christmas tale that brings light into the darkness of winter by celebrating friends and togetherness.
Cosmo doesn’t like the wintertime, because he thinks it’s dark and lonely. Only his friend Betty’s promise of finding a magical Christmas tree, adorned with the brightest star of all, can lure him out of his cave. Together they embark on a holiday adventure and discover something far greater than they ever imagined—and learn just how bright friendship can shine.
This heartfelt story brims with Christmas cheer, wondrous wintertime illustrations, and a reassuring message as sweet as hot cocoa.
This is was supposed to be a sleepy bear book—a gentle, quiet story. Until Bear opened his cozy, quiet den, only to find—A DJ and a disco ball? Guitar riffs and a booming bass? A random jazz flute?Stop all these shenanigans! THIS ISN’T WHAT HAPPENS IN A SLEEPY BEAR BOOK!
Things only get noisier and more chaotic with every turn of the page. Winking at storytime conventions in a way that’ll crack kids up, This Is Not a Sleepy Bear Book combines classic bedtime story tropes with visual, giggle-worthy surprises that offer a memorable twist and a great read-aloud.
A Caldecott Honor Book!
A cheerful and action-packed adventure about the importance of friendship and community from a successful author and illustrator duo!
Once there was a river flowing through a forest. The river didn’t know it was capable of adventures until a big bear came along. But adventures aren’t any fun by yourself, and so enters Froggy, Turtles, Beaver, Racoons, and Duck.
These very different animals take off downstream, but they didn’t know they needed one another until thankfully, the river came along.
This hilarious picture book and heartfelt message celebrates the joy and fun that’s in store when you embark together on a ride of a lifetime.
Before Simon sails to America, he promises his family that he will get a job and send for them. Simon’s mother knows he will need a miracle, so she reminds him to celebrate Hanukkah wherever he may be. Little does either of them know that Simon will spend the first night of Hanukkah on an ice floe after his ship sinks. The lone survivor out in the wide ocean, Simon lights the first candle, and it attracts a visitor: a polar bear.
Does she eat him? No! She shares his latkes, enjoys his songs, goes fishing for him, and even keeps him warm at night. By the last day of Hanukkah, Simon has nearly given up hope of ever being rescued. But then he recounts all of the miracles that have befallen him so far. Perhaps it is not too much to hope for one more, he thinks, as he lights all of the candles in the menorah. The bright glow signals a passing ship, and Simon makes it to New York after all. This fanciful Hanukkah tale — like none you’ve ever read before — celebrates eight miracles: family, friendship, hope, selflessness, sharing, faith, courage, and love.
From the author of the Caldecott Honor-winning classic Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins comes a gorgeously illustrated fantasy Hanukkah tale full of miracles, from sharing latkes with a polar bear to surviving a Titanic-like sinking. The story behind the ancient holiday is included at the end.
In 1914, Harry Colebourn, a veterinarian on his way to tend horses in World War I, followed his heart and rescued a baby bear. He named her Winnie, after his hometown of Winnipeg, and he took the bear to war.
Harry Colebourn’s real-life great-granddaughter tells the true story of a remarkable friendship and an even more remarkable journey–from the fields of Canada to a convoy across the ocean to an army base in England…
And finally to the London Zoo, where Winnie made another new friend: a real boy named Christopher Robin.
Before Winnie-the-Pooh, there was a real bear named Winnie. And she was a girl!
Reuben the bear’s got donuts for everyone in his scout troop, but his friends are all staring at something else: there’s a wet spot on Reuben’s pants, and it’s in a specific area. “WHO WET MY PANTS?” he shouts, and a blame game starts. His buddies try to reassure him there was no crime. Just an accident. It could happen to anyone! But as all the clues begin to point in Reuben’s own direction as the culprit, Reuben must come to terms with the truth.
Who Wet My Pants? isn’t a potty-training book. It’s a witty and wise story about embarrassment and anger, empathy and acceptance, and ultimately…forgiveness.
Don’t miss these other funny books by Bob Shea!
Chez Bob
Pizza for Birds
Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great
Dinosaur Vs. Bedtime
The Scariest Book Ever!
Today is the day the exuberant Lucy is going to make a new friend! But she finds it’s harder than she had thought–she accidentally ruins the giraffe’s breakfast and is much too big for the frogs’ pond. Just when she’s about to give up, an unexpected friend finds her, and loves her just the way she is.
This heartwarming story offers a unique and humor-filled spin on the all-important themes of persistence and friendship.
More picture books by Peter Brown:
Children Make Terrible Pets
Mr. Tiger Goes Wild
The Curious Garden
Fred Gets Dressed
My Teacher Is a Monster (No, I Am Not!)
The Flight of the Dodo
Chowder
The Fabulous Bouncing Chowder
