Tag Archives: Bears

Elem. – The Brothers Zzli

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Cousseau, Alex. The Brothers Zzli. Illustrated by Anne-Lise Boutin. 1st American ed., Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2023. 978-0-802-85609-8. $17.99. Unpaged. Grades K-3.

The brothers Zzli, three bears who have been driven from their home, are looking for somewhere to live. A little girl who lives alone in the forest generously decides to take them in. The brothers Zzli prove to be wonderful houseguests. They are cheerful, complimentary, and gracious. They help around the house and tell hilarious stories. When they organize a party for the neighborhood, however, no one shows up except the girl and her bat-friend. When the girl and her bat-friend go to see the neighbors, they are told that the bears are dangerous, unwanted, and will overrun the forest if this carries on. The neighbors complain to the police, and shortly after a police officer shows up at the girl’s door, her house is destroyed by a suspicious fire. Ultimately, the brothers Zzli and their generous hostess must decide whether to rebuild or set off in search of a more welcoming community.

THOUGHTS: A profound allegory with an invaluable message about acceptance and inclusion, this is a unique take on the subject of immigration and prejudice.

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Elem. – There’s a Bear in Your Book

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Fletcher, Tom. There’s a Bear in Your Book. Random House Kids, 2023. 978-0-593-70399-1 Unpaged. $18.99 Grades PK-1.

This eighth book in the “Who’s in your Book?” series, adds a bear to the mix, joining a monster, dragon, alien, superhero, elf, witch and unicorn. In this book, Bear has had a picnic and is messy and tired. Readers are asked to help him get ready for bed by shaking the book (for the bubble bath), flapping the book’s pages (to dry Bear), and rocking the book (and Bear) to sleep. But a monster bursts in, leading the narrator to ask readers to wag their fingers at monster, imagine a night-light, press the switch to turn it on, yawn with bear and monster, and imagine five sheep, which then need a lullaby. The simple illustrations make the bear and monster (and even sheep) look cuddly and this may just work on young readers to help them fall asleep also. It’s an added plus that Fletcher includes “imagine” as an interactive task, both to support the idea of imagining being necessary and helpful, and also to quiet readers who have been active.

THOUGHTS: This title strikes the right balance between cute (for readers) and productive (for tired caregivers). Recommended.

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Elem. – Bears Are Best!

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HoLub, Joan. Bears Are Best! Illustrated by Laurie Keller. Crown Books for Young Readers, 2023. 978-0-525-64533-7. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades K-3.

Bears Are Best! is a picture book that follows a brown bear as he tells readers all about himself, as well as how he is the only bear in this book. However, spoiler alert, he is not the only bear in this book. What the reader finds out is that the brown bear is not the only bear in this book and what follows is each species of bear being introduced. There are several funny conversations had between the bears and even a special appearance from another species of animal.

THOUGHTS: This was a super enjoyable and interesting way to learn simple facts about different species of bears. The reader definitely will want to pay attention to the illustrations and the conversations that the bears are having with each other as it really adds to the book.

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Elem. – Pocket Full of Sads

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Davidson, Brad. Pocket Full of Sads. Illustrated by Rachel Mas Davidson. Rodale Kids, 2023. 978-0-593-56456-1. Unpaged. $18.99. Grades K-2.

For no specific reason, Bear’s “heart feels heavy / like [his] pocket’s full of sads.” It is hard to explain. A physical ailment isn’t the cause. It’s more like how one would feel if a brand new toy broke or a friend chose to sit with someone else. Rabbit is determined to fix Bear, but it isn’t as simple as telling a  funny joke or using the internet for an answer. Finally, things become too hard. Will Rabbit fix Bear’s pocket full of sads, so they can go fishing, or will this be one feeling that’s too big to fix?

THOUGHTS: Davidson’s story is perfect for morning meetings or a counseling/Social Emotional Learning lesson.  Told in a simple, gentle manner, young learners will understand how little things can cause big emotions. Rachel Mas Davidson’s colorful illustrations add brightness and hope to a book about facing sadness. Highly recommended.

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Elem. – The Ice Cream Vanishes

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Sarcone-Roach, Julia. The Ice Cream Vanishes. Alfred A. Knopf, 2023. 978-0-593-30985-8. unpaged. $18.99. Grades K-2.

Meet Squirrel, a magician at making snacks disappear. Finding an ice cream cone that a little girl dropped, the squirrel is determined to make this cone disappear. He places it on a hot rock in the sun while waking Bear up, and it disappears! Squirrel believes he is a magician. He is determined to show all of his friends just how his magic can make ice cream disappear. Does ransacking an ice cream truck count as magic??

THOUGHTS: This cute little book is a good end of the year read!

Picture Book 

Elem. – I’m Not Scared, YOU’RE Scared

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Meyers, Seth. I’m Not Scared, YOU’RE Scared! Illustrated by Rob Sayegh, Jr. Flamingo Books, 2022. Unpaged. 978-0-593-35237-3. Grades K-3. $18.99.

Despite his size, Bear is scared of just about everything, including his own reflection. Rabbit, on the other hand, likes to read scary stories. Though they have their differences, Bear and Rabbit are friends, and when Rabbit announces that they’re going on an adventure Bear suggests a book instead because “if anything goes wrong, we can just close the book.” Bear prepares for their adventure with a bike helmet, oven mitts, and bear repellent spray, but Rabbit assures him he’ll need none of those things. As Bear and Rabbit approach a small stream, the edge of the woods, a mountain, and a long rope bridge, Bear looks for ways to avoid his fears. At each obstacle, Rabbit asks, “Bear, are you scared?” and Bear replies “I’m not scared, you’re scared!” At the long, old, rickety bridge, Bear finally acknowledges his fears and heads home. Rabbit remains, determined to prove that Bear ‘s fears are over nothing. But when Rabbit gets into trouble, he’ll need his scared friend to come to his rescue. Will Bear be able to face his fears to help save his friend, or will Bear’s fears prevent him from helping Rabbit? Sayegh’s illustrations, made with digital brushes and scanned textures and photographs, bring the characters to life and highlight the emotions they’re feeling in the various settings.

THOUGHTS: This sweet story by comedian Seth Meyers will resonate with young readers who may have “irrational” fears. Use this title to talk about fear, courage, and being a supportive friend. Recommended for elementary collections.

Picture Book          Maryalice Bond, South Middleton SD

Elem. – Kodi

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Cullum, Jared. Kodi. Top Shelf Productions. 2020. 978-1-603-09467-2. 176 p. $14.99. Grades 2-5.

While out on a walk near her grandmother’s Alaska summer house, comics-loving Katya encounters an enormous kodiak bear with its leg pinned under a fallen tree. Working together, Katya and “Meema” free the bear and mend his wounded paw. Katya and Kodi become fast friends (and an expert fishing team), so both are crestfallen when she must return to Seattle. When Kodi sees a tourist with a Seattle t-shirt, he realizes that stowing away on a cruise ship will deliver him to Katya. But finding a small girl in a big city requires some help; enter a fisherman named Joshua, who forms his own unique bond with the bear. Jared Cullum’s gorgeous watercolors portray a range of settings, emotions, and action with evocative style. Katya’s vulnerability is evident in her big eyes and slight build; her strength shows in her artwork and steadfastness. Kodi is both comically oversized and brawny, but gentle. Joshua, disabled in a previous fishing accident, is clever and kind. Readers who fly through the pages to find out what happens next will want to re-read, pausing to admire the mountain streams, city skylines, and ocean waves.

THOUGHTS: This beautifully illustrated graphic novel for young readers is also an homage to the power of friendship and creativity. Don’t miss this one!

Graphic Novel          Amy V. Pickett, Ridley SD

Elem. – Bears Make the Best Writing Buddies

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Oliver, Carmen. Bears Make the Best Writing Buddies. Capstone Editions, 2020. 978-1-684-46081-6. 32 p. $17.95. Grades K-4. 

When Adelaide notices that her friend Theo is struggling during writing time, she decides to pass him a note of encouragement and enlists Bear to help Theo find his unique story. Bear is a comforting figure, full of tips about proper spacing and adding sensory details. Bear also helps Theo learn to “forage for new ideas” or take a break to regroup when writing isn’t easy. Leo learns about drafting and revision with Bear’s motto “rebuild, reimagine, rework.” By the end of the story, Theo is confidently writing with his classmates while Adelaide hints at a sequel. Brightly colored illustrations fill the pages with imaginary scenes of the trio fishing for new ideas, flying in hot air balloons, and hard at working writing. Diversity among characters is represented among the primary and secondary characters. Theo and teacher Mrs. Fitz-Pea are Black; Adelaide is white. Diversity is also depicted among their classmates with a two-page spread that shows children of various gender, ability and race holding up individualized heart artwork beneath the text “There’s nothing you can’t say when it comes from your heart. Because your voice is your voice – no two are the same.” This artwork is also beautifully replicated on the end pages.

THOUGHTS: This book is a thoughtful, positive introduction to the writing process for elementary students. Bear simultaneously empowers students to find, share and hone their individual writers’ voice while also modeling desirable writing buddy behavior. This book will make a fun engaging read aloud with plenty of opportunities to discuss writing with students.

808.02 Writing          Jackie Fulton, Mt. Lebanon SD
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