Bear Has a Story to Tell

Stead, Philip C. 2012. BEAR HAS A STORY TO TELL.  Ill. by Erin E. Stead. New York, NY: Roaring Brook. ISBN 9781596437456 [Suggested Grade Levels P-3]

 

REVIEW:

Winter is coming, Bear needs to hibernate, but first he has a story he wants to tell his friends. His friends are too busy to listen, though. Mouse has to gather seeds, Duck is getting ready to fly south, and Frog is busy looking for a warm place to sleep, and mole is already asleep. Bear helps his friends get ready for winter but by then it is too late to tell his story so bear himself goes to sleep. But when spring comes, his friends are ready to hear his story.

This gentle story about friendship works on many levels. First, it is a good story about friendship and helping and patience. Secondly, it is a good book to introduce the scientific concepts of animals hibernating and preparing for winter and birds flying south to the younger child. Erin Stead’s soft illustrations begin with warm fall colors, move to winter coldness, and then show the greenness of spring.

CONNECTIONS:

Use the story as a springboard to discuss with younger children what it means to be a friend.
Combine with nonfiction books to discuss how animals prepare for winter. Ask children what they do differently in winter than they do in summer.

RELATED BOOKS:

Other books about winter:

Berger, Carin. A PERFECT DAY. ISBN 9780062015808

Spinelli, Eileen. COLD SNAP. ISBN 9780375857003

By Janet Hilbun