Review - Little Bear

Little Bear
by Else Holmelund Minarik
illustrated by Maurice Sendak
Date: 1957
Publisher: HarperCollins
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 64
Format: e-book
Source: Open Library

Celebrate the timeless warmth of a mother's love with the very first ever I Can Read book.

Meet Little Bear, a friend to millions of children. And meet Mother Bear, who is there whenever Little Bear needs her. When it is cold and snowy outside, she finds just the right outfit for Little Bear to play in. When he goes to the moon, she has a hot lunch waiting for him on his return. And, of course, she never forgets his birthday.

This classic from Else Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak was written in 1957 and remains as beloved today as it was then. An ALA Notable Children's Book, this Level One I Can Read is full of warm and lovingly playful stories that are perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This collection of four little stories about Little Bear and his mother are quite cute. I can see why this book is still going strong half a century after it was first published.

I think my favourite story here is "Little Bear Goes to the Moon". It's kind of silly, but in a gentle sort of way. Little Bear always has Mother Bear to come home to, even when he leaves the planet!

One thing I don't understand is why "Birthday Soup" is written in the present tense while the three other stories are in the past tense. That's probably my main complaint with this volume.

Overall, Little Bear is a charming storybook from a simpler time. It's held up well, despite being around since 1957!

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall: 3.67 out of 5