Bear's First Christmas

by Robert Kinerk, Jim LaMarche (Illustrator)

Overview

In the dark of winter, deep in the woods, a lone bear is awakened from his winter sleep by a soft and mysterious sound. Under the stars the bear finds his way step by step through the snowy forest, making friends along his route. Then the bear discovers a place in the woods that glows magically with something he and his friends could never have imagined — their first Christmas.

Robert Kinerk's inspired story and Jim LaMarche's glimmering illustrations combine in a picture book that captures the joy and spirit of Christmas. Come along with bear and his friends and see the magical light of Bear's First Christmas.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780689869723
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Publication date:	10/02/2007
Edition description:	Repackage
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 12.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD1000L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Robert Kinerk is the author of Clorinda, illustrated by Steven Kellogg, which was an IRA Children's Book Award Notable Book, and about which Booklist said in a starred review, "Much applause for Clorinda." Mr. Kinerk grew up in Alaska and has worked as a journalist and playwright. He now lives with his wife, Anne, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Jim LaMarche is one of the most talented artists working in children’s books today. His many successful books include Rainbabies by Laura Kraus Melmed and Albert by Donna Jo Napoli, which was selected as a New York Times Best Illustrated Book; and Up and Raft, which he also wrote. Most recently he illustrated The Carpenter’s Gift by David Rubel and Puma Dreams by Tony Johnston. Jim lives in Santa Cruz, California.

Editorial Reviews

In Kinerk's (Clorinda) rhyming ode to the rewards of giving, it turns out that the bear necessities for a merry Christmas are pretty much the same as human ones. A cub with keen hearing sets out through newly drifted snow to find the faint but joyful noise that has roused him from his seasonal slumber. But his reconnaissance mission is slowed when he stops to aid various animals in distress along the way. Finally locating the sound's source-the home of a snugly gathered family laughing and caroling around a twinkling Christmas tree-bear and company create their own celebration. A tall narrow trim size allows LaMarche room to showcase majestic winter landscapes and a spectrum of soft lamplight, gentle moonglow and shimmering snowflakes. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information

Publishers Weekly

PreS-Gr 2-After finding a cave in which to spend his winter, a bear is awakened by a mysterious sound. Following it, he encounters and helps a crow cawing for food, a moose trying to get some weeds out of the frozen ground, and, finally, a pheasant family whose home has been smashed by snow. The bear takes the animals back to his den, and they all settle down for a winter nap. The rhyming text is overly long and a bit singsongy, but conveys the Christmas spirit of sharing effectively. LaMarche's beautiful artwork, done in acrylic washes and colored pencil, truly captures the essence of the season.-Diane Olivo-Posner, Long Beach Public Library, CA

Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information

School Library Journal

A solitary brown bear finds new friends and the spirit of Christmas in this longer rhyming story with notable illustrations in acrylic washes and colored pencil by LaMarche. The young bear finds a suitable cave for his winter nap, with a tiny, scraggly evergreen just outside the entrance. He interrupts his hibernation to pursue a mysterious sound, meeting a crow, a moose and a pheasant family on his quest. The unusual sound that awakened the bear was the voices of children (mysteriously traveling all the way back to the bear's den), and the group of animals locate the sound and then watch through the window as the family celebrates Christmas. The animals are filled with the spirit of Christmas themselves and, returning to the bear's den, they spend the winter inside together, with the little tree outside the den transformed into a snowy, glowing Christmas tree. The story is too long and sentimental to interest most children, but the large-format illustrations almost make up for the wordy text. Varying perspectives in the art add vitality and keep the story moving as the helpful bear assists the other animals. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews