Emma the bear and her parents are going on vacation. But mom and dad want to be tourists. Emma asks to hike a mountain near their rickety cabin, but dad drives. After a day at the speedy burger, a boat ride, tour bus, train ride and carnival rides, Emma refuses to leave the cabin again. She shows her parents how to take pleasure from a mountain stream, berry picking, tree climbing and story telling. The book's humerous tone with engaging artwork (the speedy burger restaurant is a giant burger!) entertains, while the storyline gentley reminds us a better way to spend our time.

I read this book as a child and loved it then. When I picked it up again to read it, I enjoyed it just the same! The story line is great, adn the illustrations are wonderful.

This is a beautiful, easy to read book, that is excellent for use in the pre-k to 2nd grade classroom for discussions on the seasons and Autumn in particular. It also makes a good choice for classroom units on bears. Arnosky consistently does inspiring work.

This book is as excellent and finely constructed as is Ms. West's prior book, "River of Red Gold", which follows "Eye of the Bear" in time. Her obvious extensive research is paid off in a compelling tale of pre-gold-rush (1820's) California, and the conflict between and among the Native Americans, the Spanish/Mexican secular rulers, and the religious zealots of the early California Missions. Interweaving historical characters with fictional representations of the time, "Eye of the Bear" draws the reader into a starkly believable environment. The story is painted with well-developed characters, engaged in love, hatred, empathy and war. I'm sorry these two books weren't written (and would recommend that they be read) in reverse order -- nonetheless, I hope another volume, perhaps continuing the same story but set in POST-gold-rush days, will follow. The book is long (over 600 pages), but I couldn't put it down until I came...sadly...to it's ending.

This is an excellent book. The pages are filled with sparkle and they really attract the attention of my 6 month old son. It is a good book for boys, unlike Princess Bear, which seems to be directed more towards a girl.

This is really a cute book about a bear with a weight problem. He gets tired of being fat and eats a little less and exercises a little more. In the end he loses weight and gets in shape. The illustrations are DARLING! It's delightful.

Of all of the hundreds of childrens books (yes, hundreds) I have around the house, this book has been a favorite of both of my children from about 12 months to 3 years. My daughter received this book for her first birthday and adored it. With the birth of our second child, our son, our daughter got great pleasure in "reading" a book he could understand (all pictures) to him. Then at about a year old our son started "reading" this book to his sister and to me as well. I am currently ordering the rest of the series from Amazon (since I have been unable to locate them in the local stores during the past five years). This book is a great way to get your kids interested in reading at an early age.

Fireman Bear has been our son's favorite book since age 6 months. The use of a plush character head as part of the book is not a unique idea, but is used to great effect. The entire series should be reissued!

A book that "bears" a message....

This is not just another book about teddy bears. It has a much deeper meaning powerfully expressed in the beautiful full-page illustrations. The story is centered around the Great Bear in the sky who through acts of kindness and giving, brings hope and joy to the lonely children on earth. It is a perfect bedtime story and a book that can be read to a group of children because of the large, clear, and poignant illustrations.

This book was inspired by a Safari to Kenya and Tanzania. I was part of the group that travelled with Ms. Ichikawa to Africa. The beauty of the land, the warmth of the people, and the magic of the wildlife is all recreated here... of course, in a simplified manner that makes it accessible to children of all ages. The First Bear in Africa is a story of two children learning about each other's culture. Since there are no bears in Africa, this additional clever twist adds another layer to a wonderful story. Thank you, Ms. Ichikawa, for a magical memory of an incredible adventure.