The Bear Went Over the Mountain

by Iza Trapani

Overview

The bear went over the mountain, to see what he could see, hear what he could hear, smell what he could smell, touch what he could touch, and taste what he could taste; what a busy bear! In this beautiful retelling of a classic children’s song, bestselling author and illustrator Iza Trapani brings to life the seasonal activities of one cuddly bear. The bear sets out at the beginning of spring and finds fun around every corner, such as watching bunnies hop and smelling flowers. When the bear finds something unpleasant, like a smelly skunk or a prickly porcupine, he learns that the five senses have both good and bad traits. But that is all right, because there is always something just as exciting to try next! 
The Bear Went Over the Mountain teaches children about the five senses and the four seasons, all through a timeless song. It is so much fun, kids will want to go exploring too, just like the bear!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781616085100
Publisher:	Sky Pony
Publication date:	04/01/2012
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	431,990
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

IZA TRAPANI is a world-renowned children’s author and illustrator. Born in Poland, she now lives on a farm with her husband, Rob. Her work has won prestigious awards such as the American Bookseller Pick of the Lists, and has been featured on PBS Storytime and at the White House Easter Egg Roll. She also received the Rip Van Winkle Award, presented by the School Library Media Specialists of Southeastern NY,
for her contribution to children’s literature. Her bestselling book, The Itsy-Bitsy Spider, has sold over one million copies. She lives near Woodstock,
New York.

Editorial Reviews

PreS-Gr 2—As she has done with other traditional songs and rhymes, Trapani expands on a bear's trip over the mountain, relating his expedition over four seasons as he encounters his environment through his five senses. Each section begins with the thrice repeated, "The bear went over the mountain," with a change in the fourth line to reflect the sense highlighted: "To smell what he could smell," "touch what he could touch," etc. While he enjoys the delights of each season, beginning with spring and ending in his cozy den as winter approaches, the bear experiences difficulties as well. For example, he loves the plants and grubs he tastes in summer but is chased by bees when he tries to taste their honey. The rhyming text introduces fine vocabulary. The bear savors "spicy pines," "tangy shrubs," "moldy leaves," and "minty grasses" and meets a minnow that is "slick and shiny." The large, full-color paintings, many of them spreads, clearly depict many aspects of each season and are suitable for group viewing. This is a good vehicle for discussing the seasons, with their flora and fauna, as well as the five senses. The text also suggests counting the creatures bear meets as he begins his journey. Back matter contains musical notation and verses.—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

School Library Journal

Seasons and senses and bears, oh my! In a refreshing spin on an old sing-along favorite, Trapani's bear doesn't go over the mountain just to see what he can see, but to hear, touch, smell and taste as well. His sensory adventures are humorously cut short when he sees a mama duck nipping and chasing him away, hears a snake hissing in his ear, smells a skunk spraying, feels a porcupine's quills and has his taste of sweet honey interrupted by a swarm of buzzing bees. Verse by verse, the song's text introduces the five senses while art depicts the (mis)adventures and also provides a visual representation of the progression of the seasons. By book's end, winter has arrived, and Bear retreats over the mountain again to his den, leaving readers with the satisfying ending: "And now the bear is snoring, / Snugly in his den." In case readers are unaware of the tune to the song, backmatter provides the score and verses all on a single page. Throughout, the colorful paintings of the subtly anthropomorphized bear frolicking in his woodland mountain habitat will engage young readers and singers. A fine addition to the storytime shelf. (Picture book. 1-4)

Kirkus Reviews