Before I had children, and before I became a school reading specialist, I used to wonder about books like "Brown Bear." Hmmph, I thought...what kind of book is this...it just repeats the same darned rhyme over and over again. What a yawner.

Of course, this was before I understood the importance of repetition to small children. This was before I realized that simple stories and rhymes help children memorize stories that they can then "read" aloud in that pre-reading stage, allowing them to realize how amazing and powerful the ability to read is. Boy, I sure didn't know a lot back then!

Luckily I now realize the wonderful place that books such as "Brown Bear" have in children's literature. This book has amazingly vivid illustrations of various animals, in bright colors. Here you will meet (and "see") a brown bear, a red bird, a yellow duck, a blue horse, a green frog, a purple cat, a black sheep, and a gold fish. (Oh, and a teacher and her students too!) This book not only teaches little ones about the different animals and their names, but about colors as well. It is a great spring board for discussions about animals, colors, and what your own children see in the world around them.

Right now another thing I love about this book is that it comes in a board book. This is great, because my little boy loves to be read too, but he also loves to EAT PAPER. Uck. Board books will withstand his current need to gnaw on everything he gets his hands (and gums) on. This book will be a classic that he'll enjoy for many years to come, even after he's outgrown his taste for paper. (But hopefully not his taste for books!)

I recommend this book to anyone with a child from infancy on up to preschool age. This will likely become a favorite of your child's, and one of the first books he or she reads to you!!

Check out the book's sequel, also by Bill Martin, entitled "Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What do you Hear?" Your kids will love it too!




Recommended: Yes