Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?

When a children's book has a reputation for being a classic, a narrator can be overshadowed by the material. Yet in this case, Gwyneth Paltrow narrates with a confidence and clarity that let the auditory clues and trademark animal collages take center stage. Her voice is steady and pauses regularly for contemplation of the story's menagerie: a hissing snake, a bellowing walrus, and a whistling zookeeper who is followed by a bevy of costumed children. Listeners will surely want to join in with her animal voices. Background sound effects bring depth to the action, and children will love poring over the rich illustrations. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

October 14, 1991
It's been 25 years since these two talented men put their heads together, but the fruit of their latest collaboration is well worth the wait. Continuing in the spirit of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? , their new book incorporates the same clean design and crisp text, but this time the action takes place at the zoo, where elephants, hippos, lions and such are asked what they hear--each answer leads to the animal on the next page, and culminates with a zookeeper who ``hears'' a pageful of multiracial children disguised as their favorite animals. Carle's characteristically inventive, jewel-toned artwork forms a seamless succession of images that fairly leap off the pages, and educator Martin, ever tuned in to what children like best, has assembled a thoroughly rowdy menagerie--including a fluting flamingo, bellowing walrus and hissing boa constrictor, to name a few--imitations of whose sounds will doubtless soon be echoing in many homes and classrooms. A visually and aurally splashy work, this is a splendid successor to Brown Bear , one that no fan of that popular bruin will want to be without. Ages 2-4.