A Bear is a Bear

By Author / Illustrator

Karl Newson, Anuska Allepuz

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

Publisher

Nosy Crow Ltd

ISBN

9781788000994

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

01-03-2018

Synopsis

A bear is a bear, except when he's not. What would he be, if a bear FORGOT?Poor bear! He's all confused. Is he a bird? A moose? A fox? Or maybe even a . . . squirrel? And now winter is coming . . . perhaps Bear should curl up tight and settle down for a long, long sleep. He might remember who he is in the spring!A funny, rhyming romp about an adorably baffled bear with an identity crisis! Little ones will love joining in with repeated phrases and picking their favourite animals, whether it's a dancing fox or a cute red squirrel. Sharing this picture book with a little one is a great way to introduce them to seasons and the concept of hibernation. It has a sleepy theme that's brilliant for bedtime, too!This young, fun story from Karl Newson, who has been shortlisted for the Sainsbury's Children's Book Award, is illustrated with warmth and humour by the talented Anuska Allepuz, who has been nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal and shortlisted for the AOI Award.

Reviews

'A bear is a bear. Except when he's not. What would he be, if a bear FORGOT?' Bear has woken up too soon from his winter hibernation. He's feeling incredibly confused and appears to have forgotten who and what he is. As he looks around for inspiration, he spies a bird. He tries a nest but is far to big; He tries to fly but lands with a bump. Clearly he isn't a bird, but what is he? How about a moose? He is roughly the same size and can move slowly like a moose but a moose has antlers and bear does not. He also hates the taste of grass, it's far too dry! Poor forgetful bear looks elsewhere, he is definitely not a moose. The next animal bear spots is a fox. Bear can dance like fox but as he chases him around the forest he realises that fox is far too nimble and he cannot keep up with him. Bear is now terribly discouraged, he isn't a bird, a moose or a fox. So, what is he? The final animal he discovers scampering through the forest is a squirrel. Maybe he is one of those? Very confused, tired and grumpy, bear returns to his cave. He does the most sensible thing he has done all day, he curls up and goes back to sleep, determined not to wake until Spring. When the leaves begin to appear on the trees and blossoms bloom again in the forest, bear finally wakes refreshed from his hibernation sleep. He is greeted by his woodland friends. Spring has arrived! And has bear now remembered who he is? His first meal of sweet honey triggers his memory! This is an endearing picture book about an incredible, bemused bear, full of rhythm and rhyme. It is a joy to read aloud and will be particularly loved as a bedtime story, one to read again and again. Anushka Allepuz's beautiful illustrations compliment Karl Newson's clever text, helping to create charming characters and an intriguing story. Readers could think about what animals or people they might choose to be if they forgot who they were. It could also be used to introduce children to how and why animals hibernate, and as part of work around seasons. Picture book / Ages 3+ / reviewed by Emily Beale, school librarian.