A Brave Bear

by Sean Taylor, Emily Hughes (Illustrator)

Overview

What is the bravest thing in the world? A brave bear, of course! And who is the best at helping a little bear feel brave? His dad.

It is a hot, hot day. Dad Bear says, “I think a pair of hot bears is probably the hottest thing in the world.” So Little Bear suggests they go to the river to cool down. It's a long way. Little Bear tries to impress his Dad by doing a big jump from one rock to another, but he falls over. When he picks himself up and keeps going, his dad says, “I think a brave bear is probably the bravest thing in the world.” For very young children just beginning to dare to do new things and their supportive and loving parents, this gentle read-aloud just might be the best thing in the world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536229639
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	05/09/2023
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	1,159,144
Product dimensions:	6.44(w) x 6.69(h) x 0.57(d)
Age Range:	3 Months to 3 Years

About the Author

Sean Taylor has written more than twenty books for young children, including Hoot Owl: Master of Disguise and The World Champion of Staying Awake. He divides his time between the United Kingdom and Brazil.

Emily Hughes is the author-illustrator of Wild and The Little Gardener. A Brave Bear is her first book with Candlewick Press. Born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, Emily Hughes now lives in London.

Editorial Reviews

This lovely book captures the languid mood of a hot day along with the easy rhythms of a sweet father-child connection…There's a reassuring air to Taylor's…story, conveying the message that the days that turn out the best still can feature nasty falls and uncomfortable weather. With her small, dense pencil strokes, Hughes…gives her bears utterly peaceable expressions and long, soft-looking fur that may cause readers to fondly recall the work of Paul Galdone.

The New York Times Book Review - Maria Russo

★ 01/18/2016
“I think a pair of hot bears is probably the hottest thing in the world,” Little Bear’s father says. Little Bear, the story’s narrator, has an idea: he and Dad can cool off in the river. Heady with his father’s approbation, Little Bear decides to further impress him by leaping between the rocks on the trail instead of making the “small jumps” that Dad advises. A fall bruises the cub’s knee and his budding sense of independence, but only briefly; declining Dad’s offer to carry him to the river, “I decided to go on my own,” he tells readers. Taylor’s (Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise) concise narration is resonant with developmental authenticity and psychological insight, with just enough repetition to lend a pleasing lilt; it’s the emotional heart of this story. Hughes (The Little ) brings it home with instantly endearing characters and fine, fluid pencil texturing that has a marvelous plasticity, whether it’s delineating the bears’ shaggy coats, the bark of a tree, or the swirling waters of the river. Ages 2–5. Illustrator’s agent: Stephen Barr, Writers House. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

Taylor’s (Hoot Owl, Master of Disguise) concise narration is resonant with developmental authenticity and psychological insight, with just enough repetition to lend a pleasing lilt; it’s the emotional heart of this story. Hughes (The Little ) brings it home with instantly endearing characters and fine, fluid pencil texturing that has a marvelous plasticity, whether it’s delineating the bears’ shaggy coats, the bark of a tree, or the swirling waters of the river.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

This lovely book captures the languid mood of a hot day along with the easy rhythms of a sweet father-child connection...With her small, dense pencil strokes, Hughes (“Wild,” “The Little Gardener”) gives her bears utterly peaceable expressions and long, soft-looking fur that may cause readers to fondly recall the work of Paul Galdone.
—The New York Times Book Review

The brief text and the message that bravery is simply carrying on in spite of failure make this a fine offering for youngsters just trying their wings.
—School Library Journal

Hughes' detailed pencil illustrations show incredible texture, from the sweeping strokes of the bears' fur to the gnarled trees and brushy forest. Earthy tones of browns and greens fade into the pulsating yellow and orange sky. There are lessons here to be sure, but it is a warm family story most of all.
—Kirkus Reviews

The playful cadence of Taylor’s sparing text and the vibrancy of words like “jumpiest!” make this ideal for reading aloud. Whether it’s used for reading or listening, this glowing anecdote is sure to appeal to the overly ambitious Little Bear in each of us.
—Booklist

From the Publisher

02/01/2016
PreS-Gr 1—A young bear tells about a trip to the river with Dad and his attempt to demonstrate his jumping skills. It's such a hot day that the cub suggests that he and his dad go to the river to cool off. The trip is long, though, with grassy and bushy parts and many rocks to negotiate. Anxious to show his dad how he can do a big jump, the little one ignores his parent's advice to "just do small" ones, gets himself ready, and falls over. His failure makes the cub sad, his knee hurts, and he's so hot that he doesn't even want to go to the river. Dad proposes they sit for awhile, and when they do continue their journey, the youngster walks bravely on by himself, refusing his father's offer to carry him. Taylor's brilliant text offers no moralizing or attempts by Dad to force his son to continue on before he is ready. Hughes's illustrations, created in pencil and digitally colored, depict a range of expressions on the bears' faces: their animated, attentive conversation; young bear's determination to display his skills and his frown at failure; Dad's comforting expression; and the obvious enjoyment the two share as they play together in the water. An orange sun shines in large swaths of yellow-red sky, suffusing forest scenes with palpable heat. VERDICT The brief text and the message that bravery is simply carrying on in spite of failure make this a fine offering for youngsters just trying their wings.—Marianne Saccardi, Children's Literature Consultant, Greenwich, CT

School Library Journal

2016-02-02
A tiny cub tries a very big leap but learns that growing up comes with some bumps along the way. The sun burns orange in the sky. Short, staccato sentences ("The sun was hot. The air was hot. Even the shade was hot") emphasize the oppressive heat. The bear cub's father—who edges toward hyperbole—declares: "I think a pair of hot bears is probably the hottest thing in the world." So he and his cub, who narrates the adventure, travel to the river to cool down. On the way, they jump from rock to rock. The little cub takes a cue from Dad to proclaim, "I think a jumping bear is probably the jumpiest thing in the world!" However, when the cub takes an extra-big leap, a slip on landing results in a banged knee. Dad offers to carry the cub the rest of the way, but after a bit of sulking and contemplation the little cub decides to (quite literally) pick itself up and continue. Hughes' detailed pencil illustrations show incredible texture, from the sweeping strokes of the bears' fur to the gnarled trees and brushy forest. Earthy tones of browns and greens fade into the pulsating yellow and orange sky. There are lessons here to be sure, but it is a warm family story most of all. (Picture book. 2-5)

Kirkus Reviews