Bear and Hare: Where's Bear? by Emily Gravett
| Bear and Hare: Where's Bear? by Emily Gravett | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Sue Magee
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| Summary: A gorgeous board book which is going to appeal to adults and toddlers. It's subtly educational, encouraging discussion about size and shape. Highly recommended. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 26 | Date: July 2015 |
| Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1447273950 | |
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Bear and Hare are playing hide and seek. Hare covers his eyes, turns to face the wall, counts slowly to ten and then goes looking for Bear. Unfortunately he's tried to hide behind and under the standard lamp and he's not exactly invisible. Well, let's be honest - he looks as though he's wearing a very strange hat. Still, we can always have another go, can't we? This time, after the ritual counting, Bear is behind a (very small) pile of books. OK, one more time? This time it's the fish tank. I'd like to be able to say that he was behind the tank, but he's visible over, under and through the tank. Even the fish look rather surprised.
Perhaps it might work better if Hare hid and Bear did the searching? Bear patiently counts (on his claws - as bears do...) and then goes looking. Hare is not in the teapot, under the rug or behind the picture - and then Bear climbs into bed, leaving Hare wondering what's happening.
It's one of those glorious books that are going to appeal to parents and children. The basics first - it's a high quality board book which is going to stand quite a lot of toddler love and the rounded corners mean that it's not going to do that much damage when it's (inevitably) thrown at someone. The colours are strong and clear and you just want to hug both Bear and Hare - their expressions are a delight. But it's the content you want to know about isn't it? Well, it's Emily Gravett, so you know that it's quality. Her sense of humour shines through the simple story, but there's a lot more to it than just an amusing book which you're really not going to mind reading time and time again.
It's a brilliant way to introduce toddlers to the idea of shape and size. Why wasn't it a good idea for Bear to hide behind the fish tank? Why was Hare unlikely to be hiding in the teapot, or behind the picture hanging on the wall? It's subtly educational without ever being too worthy and a great introduction to your own game of hide and seek. And the fact that it's a lovely way of learning to count to ten is an added but not unwelcome bonus.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.
I've loved Emily Gravett since I read The Odd Egg which made me giggle every time I looked at it. If (like me) you've fallen for Bear and Hare, we can recommend Bear and Hare Go Fishing and Bear and Hare: Snow!.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Bear and Hare: Where's Bear? by Emily Gravett at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Bear and Hare: Where's Bear? by Emily Gravett at Amazon.com.
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