This story is so simply told, yet so beautiful that it has stayed with me all my life (30 years and counting since I first read it). I keep several copies of it so that I can give them away whenever I meet a special child who I think would appreciate it.

You can read the other reviews if you want to know the story line... nothing can do it justice, however, except just reading it. When you start, you won't want the story to end, and when it does, you will be sad that the world - and relationships - aren't really as beautiful as they are in the book.

This is an absolute MUST READ for any child. Or adult.

There were several children's librarians there during the years I lived next door, and they all took an interest in me as I was such a voracious reader. One gave me a copy of The Animal Family as a birthday present one year, and it immediately became my favorite book.

This story is so simply told, yet so beautiful that it has stayed with me all my life (30 years and counting since I first read it). Before the internet came along, I made it a point to locate used copies through the booksellers' network, and kept several copies on hand so that I could give them away whenever I met a special child who I thought would appreciate it.

My half-brother has three little girls (ages seven, five and three) whom I am going to meet soon for the first time; I'm hoping to be able to read at least the first two chapters to the two older girls, as I just know this will make an excellent first impression!

You can read the other reviews if you want to know the story line... nothing can do it justice, however, except just reading the book. When you start, you won't want the story to end, and when it does, you will be sad that things the world - families and relationships - aren't really as beautiful, simple and loving as they are in the book.

This is an absolute MUST READ for any child. Or adult.

in his photographs just why he goes there. This wonderful display is a must-have for all who enjoy wildlife and bears in particular, and for those who appreciate being right out there with them. Thanks for the wonderful trip John, God Bless.

If I wasn't laughing about the chapter "Hunt of the Bozo's"; I was crying over one of his other unique encounters. While all of the narritive kept me on the edge of my chair, Coming from Denali Park; I,ve heard it all about bears for years; but no one ever has had the fortitude and talent to create a book of this techinal depth, unique character, and overwhelming magnitude.

While Pezzenti's work in his Alaska and American Eagle books completly blew nature photography to a higher level, Shooting Bears convinced me that this Photojounalist (Pezzenti) is without question in a league of his own and even the top pro's need to study this man's work. But don,t take my word for it, 30 minutes alone with Shooting Bears in your lap will forever embed Pezzenti's work in your heart as well.

Thanks, John. You continue to enlighten and amaze us all with your creations.

This is a fantastic gift for a child who loves animals, cuddly or scary, or for an adult, like me, who just wants a fantastic nature photography book. The animal is beautiful and has never been captured so artistically, so stunningly, before.

The anecdotes, as I mentioned, are good for a laugh and bring out the reality of the photos.

The final word: If you want a book on bears, this is the best one I've seen. If you want great wildlife photography, this is without a doubt going to please and excite you.

Attention all parents burned out by reading The Pokey Little Puppy over and over again.

Attention cynics whose primary memory of Winnie-the-Pooh is the Dorothy Parker quote (from her "Constant Reader" column in the New Yorker) "Tontant Weader frowed-up".

This book is a treasure for all who hear it. There is gentleness and not a little wit in these stories. Contray to the book description above, the book is read by the late Charles Kuralt. His inflection adds much to the story. One senses that he is amused; but he is never condesending. Now I will always prefer Kuralt's version to my own bedtime efforts with my children. Charles Kuralt must have loved Winne-the-Pooh mightily. How lucky we are that he left this delightful gift behind.

Last year, at Thanksgiving, my daughter found a small multi-colored bear and a book. Although other similar purchases were soon cast aside, Peef has remained her fast friend for an entire year! This Thanksgiving, all her other stuffed animals got their own table and gave a birthday party for the bear loved for so much of a child's lifetime.

Perhaps this explains why the book has such a hold on us. It is one of the few children's books that still brings a mist to the eyes when read. The style , tone, and pace of the book are all excellent. My one wish? I do wish the publisher would produce a version where the child to whom Peef goes is a girl rather than a boy. I read it to my daughter and her friends that way sometimes...

As in the story, this Peef has made a child very happy. I like to think that he is too.

Those who go on to read more by Herrero about bear attacks (legal documents, etc.) will find that he ultimately admits that this is far from an exact science too. In his testimony as expert witness in the Mt. Lemon (Arizona) attack, Herrero contradicts some of the most fundamental premises found in this book.

Read this book, by all means, but before entering bear country, keep in mind that sometimes bears will do the unexpected. After all, what's the difference between black bear poop and grizzly bear poop? Griz poop has bells in it and smells like pepper.

This book is a must read for teachers who are interested in not only improving spelling and vocabulary, but in improving the competency of their students as readers and writers. (Thompson, S. (1998). "Professional Bookshelf," The California Reader, 31 (3), pp. 33-34.)

We suggest that Words Their Way be kept on a convenient shelf for daily reference in every teacher's classroom for easy access and use." (Shanahan, S., Macphee, J., McMillen, L., Lynch, M., Hester, J., Brodzik, K., (1997). "Materials that make the mark: Explicit skills instruction." Language Arts, 74, pp. 291-292.)