A Song for Bear
Written by: Gabby Dawnay
Illustrated by: Alex Barrow
Expected publication: May 7, 2019
Why we chose this book:
Ever read a book you like and then decide to read more from that same author? We loved A House for Mouse by this same team! Thames and Hudson provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Mom's Review
A little bear loves the birds' morning song. He decides to sing along one morning, only to discover that he sounds terrible. An (un)helpful owl tries to explain to the bear why he doesn't sound like the birds. The bear, however, keeps running off before the owl can finish explaining. For any parent whose kiddo tends to interrupt, start things before understanding the full picture, or fail to listen to everything you have to say, A Song for Bear will bring a smile and a knowing nod. There are two lessons here: there are some talents one simply does not posses, and it behooves one to listen to a full explanation. In the end the bear recognizes his own strengths and inadvertently raps his talents, thereby accomplishing his goal of song, just not in the way he anticipated.
The story elicited laughs from both T and me. T thought it hysterical the way the bear kept trying to be a bird and kept running away before the owl could finish talking. Another delight in A Song for Bear are the "Easter eggs" — characters from A House for Mouse who appear in the background! I hadn't noticed them until T joyously pointed them out to me. We hadn't read A House for Mouse in a while, but he immediately shouted out, "There's the mouse from A House for Mouse!" A Song for Bear is delightful, from its silly bear and wisdom-lacking owl to its lessons in disappointment and acceptance to its crossover characters!
Son's Review
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| favorite page |
(Age: 4)
Son: I'll show you my favorite page!
Mom: Why do you like this page?
Son: Because I like spooky and scary and monstery things!
Son, flipping to another page: There are some guys from House for a Mouse. I see this guy from it. I see this guy. These two guys! I have a question.
Mom: Go ahead and ask!
Son: That question is why do you think some House for a Mouse guys are in here?
Mom: This is made by the same people who made that book. Maybe they like those characters.
Son: I think he added them in 'cuz he really likes 'em!
Mom: The bear sure got tired in the end. Do you ever get tired out?
Son: Sometimes from too much talking instead of singing. My mouth gets tired from talking.
Mom: Did you like that little bear?
Son: Yeah, but who I mainly liked is the owl.
Mom: Would you give any advice that was different from the owl's?
Son: Yeah. I would sing and then I would tell him [the bear], "That's how to sing." And then he would copy me.
Mom: What would you sing?
Son: I'm going to be a rapper when I grow up...I'll just make up raps.
Mom: Do you have a favorite part in A Song for Bear?
Son: I like the bear's rap.
Mom: Can you learn anything from the bear?
Son: Don't fuss. Because he fussed in the story, and the owl said, "Don't fuss." Sot it turns out I learned from the owl.
Mom: When is it a good time to read A Song for Bear?
Son: When I am singing a song.
Mom: And who should read it?
Son: Anyone who likes singing songs or anyone who likes owls.
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| It's the mouse from A House for Mouse! |
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