Having checked out several Karma Wilson books we’ve been reading and reading and enjoying her wonderful books, especially any that involve one of my daycare children’s favorite character, Bear.

In Bear Feels Sick poor Bear isn’t able to go out and play because he just doesn’t feel well. Luckily his friends stay by his side and help him with anything he needs and eventually he feels better.

Mouse mutters, “Oh my,
Bear’s head is too hot.”
Hare says, “We will help!
Here’s a warm, cozy spot.”

When I first started reading this book to 4 year old Sonny and 2 year old Cindy, Sonny was so pleased that he knew immediately that hare is another word for rabbit and for bunny too. We’ve talked about that before with other Bear books and Sonny certainly remembered.

Jane Chapman’s beautiful illustrations are done in acrylic paint and as in other Bear books she makes the animals look realistic but with a bit of a personality too. Their movements and their faces have a bit of a human look to them, but not so much that they are doing something that each animal wouldn’t actually do.

The pages are all done in pale oranges and light brown backgrounds with the animals being done in their natural colors. There isn’t a lot of other color to the pages other than a blue patchwork quilt that covers Bear and a campfire that is nearby. The amount of detail is just right. Young children can tell what is going on, on each page without the text and yet the pages aren’t too busy either.

This is a soft feeling book. I don’t mean literally, but because of the colors and the soft rhyming text it is a book that would be good for bedtime as it is read in a soft voice.

While we were reading Sonny talked about when he has been sick. He said his Mom takes care of him and he is glad that Bear had his animal friends to care for him. He also liked that by the end of the book Bear felt better.

I loved that this book shows how we can treat others when they don’t feel well. It also does a good job of showing the give and take that goes on between animals and of course humans too. By the end of the book Bear felt better, but his friends were ill and Bear takes care of them. This is a good lesson to show children in a picture book.

Even 2 year old Cindy loved this book. Whenever I bring it to the table to read she is happy to see “Bear!” She wasn’t with me when I’ve read other Bear books, but I will be checking them out again so she can learn more about this big brown bear.

Margaret K. McElderry Books published this 32 page hardcover book in 2007 with an age recommendation of 3 – 7 years.

The jacket price for this book is $16.99 US and $19.99 CAN.

ISBN: 689859856


Recommended: Yes