Share, Big Bear, Share!
by Maureen Wright
illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
Date: 2017
Publisher: Two Lions
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 32
Format: e-book
Source: Amazon.ca
Big Bear’s forest friends eye his berries hungrily, but he doesn’t notice as he digs into his delicious snack. When the old oak tree says, “Share, Big Bear, share,” he thinks the tree has said, “Hair, Big Bear, hair!” One comical scene follows another as Big Bear keeps misunderstanding the old oak tree’s message until things finally get sorted out. Whimsical illustrations highlight the humor in this gentle story about the importance of sharing something special with friends.
(synopsis from Goodreads)
Big Bear may need to have his ears cleaned out.
He has a great big bucket of berries, but every time he settles down to eat them, the oak tree says, "Share, Big Bear, share!" The bear, however, always hears something different, and after he follows the instructions he thinks he hears, he goes right back to eating his berries all by himself. It's not as if he's actively stopping his friends from having some berries; it just doesn't occur to him to offer. It isn't until the oak tree reminds him that he likes it when his friends share with him that he realizes he's been a bit greedy. He asks for forgiveness and offers to share his berries with his friends.
The repetition and rhyme will probably make this a favourite of some children (much to the chagrin of whoever has to read it over and over). The plot isn't bad, it's just very simple and the scenarios are repetitive. The illustrations are kind of cute, although I do wonder where Big Bear got that huge silver garbage can for his berries. (Bears around here usually steal what's in the garbage cans... not the cans themselves!)
So, while this isn't a particularly memorable picture book for me, I can see how it will appeal to some kids.
Premise: 3/5
Meter: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 3/5
Enjoyment: 3/5
Overall: 3 out of 5
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