This book teaches children about being creative in making freinds and how simple it is to be freindly and have a good time. My children loved it and we read it repeatedly.

I can remember when the book was first published over ten years ago, and I had a chance to go the the exhibit in Los Angeles. I balked at going and I regretted that chance. Now, eleven years later as a treat to myself, I bought the book without hesitation. "Bear Pond" has to be one of the most sought after if not the most referenced collection of male nudes. Bruce Weber is the master of photographing young men in the most natural and unaffected ways. Here, he manages to capture the innocence and provocativity of each of his subjects without seeming exploitative or lecherous. Although the book cost me much more than its original $50, I am so happy that I finally had a chance to add it to my collection of treasures.

In Bear Tales, writer and illustrator Vlasta van Kampen engagingly retells three traditional folktales. Bear and Pig Went to Market is a humorous tale from Czechoslovakia. Bear and his best friend Pig decide to sell their delicious cooking at the market. Bear offers scrumptious potatoes in his stall, Pig has sweet-smelling buns in his. But business is slow and Bear and Pig soon become each other's best customers! Why Bear Stole the Moon is a Native American legend and has bear stealing the moon from the night because he likes it dark so he can hibernate. While Bear sleeps, Coyote, Raccoon, and Raven devise a clever plan to release the moon from the sack in which it is hidden -- and that's why the moon has changes throughout its monthly cycle. Two Lazy Bears is the Russian tale and finds Ivan and Igor are so lazy they won't do their chores. They won't even carry home the fish they caught for dinner! The only work they will do is argue. But a stalemate over cleaning up after dinner causes these silly, slothful bears to miss the Big Picnic. Highly recommended for school and community libraries, the artwork is vibrant and colorful, the storytelling adaption for young readers ages 5 to 8 is simply first rate.

Bear reminds me of the Velveteen Rabbit, only more charming, if you'll believe that. It has its frights, but nothing too bad can happen in a story with a teddy bear as a major character...or can it? I recommend this one for all ages.

Also suggested: Ghosts Who Cannot Sleep, by Alan Rodgers

My mohter-in-law just bought this book for my 3 year old, who loves any and all books. She prefers story time over playtime and would love if someone could read to her all the time. I would say every book was her favorite, until now. Jezabel Jones, Jezabel Jones, Jezabel Jones is all we hear now. I think we have read this book 3-4 times a day for the past 3 months. This is one of the best gifts WE could have ever received. This funny, ryming and clever book just seems to stay with you, I still laugh even after the 500th time! This one will be around our house for many years to come and look forward to reading more from Bill Grossman.

Ages 3-7. Benedict Blathwayt's charming picture book gently carries us along with a Teddy bear on his great adventure - out to sea and safely home again. Bear's Adventure begins when he is left behind on the beach one day, when the children go home. As the tide rises he is carried out to sea - to float among fish and seaweed, crabs and lobsters, and one sunken treasure ship. Eventually Bear is caught in a fishing net, hung out to dry on deck, and kindly left on a wharf with a "Found" notice. A curious seagull carries him up and away, then drops him on the waves - and Bear's adventure is finally over when he floats back to his own beach, where loving arms claim him.
This fine little book satisfies readers on several levels. First, it's a delightful picture book for young readers, with simple text. Young children will enjoy Bear's adventure with confidence that it will all end happily. Benedict Blathwayt's pictures are full of rewarding details of the beach, underwater sea world, fishing boat and wharf, yet the images remain clear and simple. And for the noticing adult (this is the other level of enjoyment) there are careful and accurate clues that place the story on the Isle of Mull, off the west coast of Scotland. In particular, look for a panorama of the old wharf and harbour at Tobermory. Having spent a month on Mull this summer I can say that the island landscape, from the little wildflowers of the machair (where beach and meadow meet), to the curiously peaked seashells and slanted, northern sunlight, is drawn here with loving accuracy.

Bill Harley's Bear's All-Night Party is a children's book about the optimistic Bear who wants to throw a big celebration, despite the pessimism of the many other animals, who claim that "no one will come." It doesn't take long for Bear's dance, music, and song to catch on in this extravagantly illustrated modern fable about the importance of enjoying the moment. A lovely, lively picturebook superbly enhanced with Mellisa Ferreira's artwork.

My daughter loves this book, with its bright colors, the squeaky Bear and an easy to read text with fun sounds like, "Bang. Crash. Bang". The book involves all of the normal characters on the show. It proved to be a great book for my child with a short attention span.

Fans of Bear in the Big Blue House will love Bear's Birthday. Color your way through this book as Bear and his friends celebrate Bear's birthday. I gave copies of this book as party favors at my son's second birthday party. What a hit! The children loved adding color to the illustrations and completing the activity pages. This book is perfect for your little one!

This has been my daughter's favoite book since she received it as a gift when she was 7 months old. She has stacks and stacks of other baby board book, including all the classics like "Goodnight Moon," and this is always the one she pulls out and wants to hear me read. She seems to love the illustrations, which are whimsical, very colorful and glossy, as well as listening to the sweet story. The fact that the book is a little larger than what seems to be the standard board book size also seems to appeal to her. I highly reccommend this book!