Bear's First Christmas

October 22, 2007
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.

October 1, 2007
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. LaMarches 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 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.