Bear & Hare Snow!

by Emily Gravett, Emily Gravett (Illustrator)

Overview

Two animal friends seek out wintertime treats in this second picture book in a charming series from Emily Gravett.

Bear and Hare go out to play in the snow. Hare enthusiastically catches snow on his tongue, makes snow angels, and builds a snow hare...but Bear isn’t having as much fun. Will Bear find a snowy activity so that both friends can enjoy the winter wonderland?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781481445153
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	11/03/2015
Series:	Bear & Hare
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
Lexile:	AD160L (what's this?)
File size:	43 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Emily Gravett is the author and illustrator of many children’s books, including Matilda’s Cat, Again!, Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears (winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal), Meerkat Mail, Tidy, and Old Hat. Her first book, Wolves, was the winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal and the Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Award for Illustration. Her second book, Orange Pear Apple Bear, was a Quills Award finalist, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year, and on the shortlist for the Kate Greenaway Medal. Emily lives in Brighton, England, with her partner, their daughter, and the family dog. Visit her at EmilyGravett.com.

Editorial Reviews

10/05/2015
The odd couple from Bear & Hare Go Fishing, published earlier this year, returns for a snowy outing. From the uncomfortable expressions on Bear’s face, it’s plain to see that he isn’t enjoying the experience as much as Hare is. He cowers behind a giant snowball, shielding himself against Hare’s tiny snowballs, and when they walk up a steep hill, Bear anxiously asks, “Home?” A fun sled ride turns Bear’s trepidation to enthusiasm: “Hare and Bear love snow!” With understated humor, Gravett captures the common childhood experience of feeling less-than excited about an activity that’s supposed to be fun—and how quickly those feelings can be reversed. Ages 4–8. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

"Bear and Hare portray a gamut of emotion as the two friends explore the delights and pitfalls of playing in the snow."

The Bookseller

11/01/2015
PreS-Gr 2—Good friends Bear and Hare go outside one morning and discover something marvelous—it's snowing! Hare is visibly delighted, while Bear appears hesitant but willing to give snow activities a try. Hare is skilled in each activity—for example, making some lovely snow angels. Bear's much heavier frame, however, has sunk him too deep to make a typical angel. Hare happily builds a "snow hare," while Bear becomes the corresponding "snow bear" as a heavy-laden tree branch dumps its snow on him. Finally, Hare decides they will give sledding a go. After rocketing down a hill with his friend, Bear appears to finally start enjoying himself. Like many of Gravett's books, the simple, to-the-point text could be read to a toddler, but the understated humor (at the expense of poor Bear) will elicit giggles from early elementary schoolers. The statement "They made snow prints" is comedically undermined by the image of Bear, sunk waist-deep into the snow with a look of distinct uneasiness in his eyes. The illustrations are all of Hare, Bear, and essentially the same snowy backdrop, so the focus is squarely on the characters. The contrast between the pair's facial expressions is priceless, as Hare is just so pleased with every new activity. VERDICT Sweet yet humorous; this one is sure to be a hit in winter-themed storytimes.—Sara White, Seminole County Public Library, Casselberry, FL

School Library Journal

2015-08-26
Two friends have vastly different experiences in the snow. The tables have turned, and so have the seasons, since Bear and Hare Go Fishing (2015): it's winter now, and it's Hare's turn for enthusiasm. Catching snowflakes on their tongues causes Hare to smile widely, but Bear looks uncomfortable. The text says "they" make snow prints, but only Hare does—Bear stands stranded, waist-deep in snow, and mournfully watches Hare waltz away, waving breezily. Snow angels? A cinch for Hare, but Bear sinks deep into the snow on his back and lies there. A snow hare is easy to make, accessorized with a scarf—Bear's, of course, and now he's chilly—but the only snow bear is formed when snow falls from branches above and buries real Bear. Hare snickers and points. Hare's thin, elegant legs and ears make a strong visual contrast to Bear's big, orange-brown scruffiness, while the snow itself looks so soft that readers may want to jump right in, Hare's unfriendliness notwithstanding. With watercolor, pencil, and wax crayons, Gravett includes a variety of textures, from delicately discrete falling snowflakes to some snow stuck to Bear's fur that looks almost sticky. Finally Hare shoves Bear up a steep hill, and despite Bear's trepidation, he's thrilled and joyful as they slide down. Harmony and joy restored. A mischievous addition to the winter bookshelf. (Picture book. 3-5)

Kirkus Reviews