Where Are You, Bear?: A Canadian Alphabet Adventure

by Frieda Wishinsky, Sean L. Moore (Illustrator)

Overview

Canada is a big country to travel across without your favorite bear by your side — but that’s just what 4-year-old Sophie has to do! Unable to find Bear as her family prepares to leave St. John’s to visit her grandmother on Vancouver Island, Sophie must brave the country herself. But when misplaced Bear realizes what’s happened, he sets off on his own adventure — chasing after Sophie. What follows is a madcap ABC journey across Canada that takes the two separated pals through all 13 provinces and territories. Along the way, Sophie and Bear encounter all sorts of animals, people, sights, sounds, tastes, and icons of Canada. From a polar bear in Nunavut to a steaming bowl of chowder in Nova Scotia, the whole country is in on the trip.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781897349915
Publisher:	OWLKIDS BOOKS
Publication date:	10/01/2010
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	BR (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

Editorial Reviews

-A Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Book for Kids and Teens, 2011

-Chocolate Lily Young Readers' Choice Award (shortlisted), 2011

"Moore's bright, block cartoon illustrations will hold the interest of those learning their letters...an absolute must [buy] in the Great White North and the border states."
— Kirkus Reviews

"The words are simple and appropriate for new readers, and the flat, stylized cartoon illustrations will keep young readers engaged."
— School Library Journal

From the Publisher

PreS-Gr 1—Sophie's off to visit her grandma in Vancouver, and when her bear gets left behind, he can't resist looking for her. Twenty-six alphabetic adventures ensue as each page offers a scene and an associated word. Sophie and Bear see everything from beluga whales in Newfoundland to dinosaur fossils in Alberta. The words are simple and appropriate for new readers, and the flat, stylized cartoon illustrations will keep young readers engaged. However, many of the words and pictures are generic, e.g., N for "Nickel," U for "Up," V for "Valley," etc. Pre-readers will enjoy finding Bear throughout the pages, and the map will help older kids trace Sophie's journey, but the book is an additional purchase.—Sarah Townsend, Norfolk Public Library, VA

School Library Journal

Canadian tot Sophie's ready to go on vacation with her father. When he calls, she can't find her stuffed bear. " 'Where are you, Bear? I have to go. I'll miss you! We would have had so much fun!' / 'Oh no! Sophie! I'm coming, I'll find you.' " As Sophie travels across Canada and through the alphabet, Bear follows close behind. In Nova Scotia, Sophie has chowder. On the facing page, Bear meets a dog near a lighthouse. In New Brunswick,Sophie steps in goose mess, and Bear plays in the harbour's sea goo. They work their way west, narrowly missing each other until Sophie, on a yacht with Dad and Grandma in British Columbia, sees Bear zooming up in his motorboat. The endpapers have a handy, helpful map describing all sights visited in a sentence or two. Wishinsky's spare text with occasional rhymes makes for easy reading. However, it's Moore's bright, blocky cartoon illustrations that will hold the interest of those learning their letters. An additional purchase in much of the lower 48, but an absolute must in the Great White North and the border states. (Picture book. 2-5)

Kirkus Reviews