One of my favorite authors is Karma Wilson so I was delighted when I heard that she had a new Bear book published. I could hardly wait until I received notice from my library that it was ready for me to pick up.

Bear’s New Friend was a big hit with my daycare children, ages 3 to 5 years old as well.


The Story

Bear decides that he wants to go out and play with his friends. As he sets out to find Mouse he hears a clatter in the tree. He can’t imagine who that could be. At first he thinks it is Mouse, but Mouse tells him that it isn’t.

He keeps wondering “Who” could be in the tree, could it be Hare, or Badger or Gopher or Mole?

Suddenly something runs past, but so very fast and down into a hole. Could it be Raven or Wren?

Up from the ground comes a rustling sound.
And the bear asks,
“Who???”

“Why don’t you like us?
WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY???”
Then the trembling voice says,
“Because—I am shy.”

Who is the new friend? Who goes to the swimming hole with all of his new friends? Nope, I’ll not spoil the ending.


The Illustrations

The acrylic illustrations in this book are vibrant and colorful and fill each page from edge to edge.

Most pages are the greens of grass and bushes with little flourishes of flowers scattered around. All of the animals in this book are painted to look as they would in the woods, but with faces that are a bit more expressive than they would actually be. It isn’t a cartoon style but rather a subtle and simple raise of the lip for a smile or eyes a bit bigger to look curious.

Bear has a fluffy look to him and just looks so lovable and while he does look like a brown bear, he also has a soft teddy bear look.

The text is large which makes holding this book up to read it easy to do. As the bear continues questioning Who it is, the words become larger and larger putting more emphasis on the question.


My Feelings

I love that the text in this book rhymes. Although occasionally the rhyme is a bit of a stretch and the cadence feels a little bit off (that may be more my reading than the actual writing) this book flows for the most part very easily and holds young children’s attention as well.

I love that in this book, as in other Bear books, there is a repetitious line. Over and over the line And the bear asks “Who?” My daycare children wait until they know that, that is what I am going to say and they love saying Who right along with me. We’ve read the book enough now that Sammi and Dee recognize the word who and know that it is coming.

The story is a warm and caring one of friendship and companionship. I loved that all of the animals worked together and when they did find out who was in the hole softly coaxed him out. They respected the fact that he was shy, but also encouraged him to go swimming with them.

Every animal was included in play, something that sometimes even with just four daycare children a gentle reminder has to be given not to exclude someone from an activity. I felt this book was a good example to them, without being preachy about it.

This book also helps children expand their vocabulary a bit, with names of animals that are not the usual bunny or bird that is used in most picture books. Instead this book uses hare, wren, raven and badger, names that perhaps the average 4 or 5 year old have not come across. It took a little while for my daycare children to understand that hare, was not the same as hair on your head but rather a different way to say rabbit. Now they delight in telling me that as soon as we see hare on a page.

The back flap on the jacket cover has a picture of other Bear books by Karma Wilson and Dee is excited to tell us the ones that she has on her book shelf. These books are easily recognizable by their beautiful and colorful illustrated cover.

This is a book that I will be adding to my daycare shelf, because we all love Bear very much and stories about him hold the attention of even our youngest listener.


Nuts & Bolts

Bear’s New Friend was written by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman. This duo collaborated on other wonderful Bear books as well, including Bear Snores On and Bear Wants More.

Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, published this 32-paged hardcover book in March 2006. It has a jacket price of $$16.95 US and $23.95 CAN.

This book is recommended for children 3 – 7 years old. An age recommendation that I very much agree with.

ISBN: 0689859848

If you would like to see the cover of this book just click on the Wal*Mart box on the right, it has a photo.


Recommended: Yes