Old Bear Stories by Jane Hissey
| Old Bear Stories by Jane Hissey | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Ruth Ng
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| Summary: These classic stories are lovely to share with little ones, and the gorgeous illustrations really bring all the stories to life. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 160 | Date: September 2012 |
| Publisher: Scribblers | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1908759931 | |
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The Old Bear stories are delightful. This collection brings together five stories into one book, introducing us to Old Bear, Little Bear, Jolly Tall and all the other toy friends. The toys look like all those lovely old fashioned toys that children used to have, jointed teddy bears and fuzzy rabbits, and the stories too have a sweet, old fashioned appeal.
The first story sees the daring rescue of Old Bear from the attic. It's exciting and fun with lots of action, and it's moving too as the expression on poor Old Bear's face as he sits reading a book in the attic is rather sad. Once he's rescued we move swiftly on into a hilarious story about Little Bear's trousers. He goes to put his trousers on one morning but, oh dear, they've disappeared! He searches everywhere, asking everyone, and unfortunately discovers a trail that leads him to see that his trousers have been used by everyone for all sorts of different things - as a sail for a boat, as a two-bone holder (by the dog!), as a skiing hat and even as icing bags to pipe icing onto a cake! Never mind Little Bear, they turn the cake into a 'Happy Trousers Day' cake, so everything is okay in the end!
All of the stories are entertaining, with lots happening and beautiful pictures on every page. The pictures add a lot to the stories, I think, as they're so carefully drawn, very detailed and gorgeous to look at. I like the illustration of Bramwell Brown (what a great bear name!) painting a poster of Little Bear, so that everyone knows who they are looking for!
My favourite characters is Jolly Tall, the giraffe, because his name just makes me smile. When he arrives in the playroom all the other toys only know that there is a big box and someone inside of it. Little Bear has a chat with this 'someone', discussing the fact that he isn't standing on anything inside the box, just the bottom of the box. Little Bear exclaims You must be jolly tall! and of course that's what his name turns out to be!
This is a beautiful book, that would make a lovely gift. Older toddlers should happily enjoy sitting for a story, or two, and even my big six year old still enjoys the stories, especially the one where they try to make snow in lots of different ways (and making lots of mess!) Lovely for children, and just as enjoyable for the grown ups reading to them - definitely recommended!
If you enjoy these sort of stories you might also like The Church Mouse by Graham Oakley and you've got to love Little Bear.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Old Bear Stories by Jane Hissey 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 Old Bear Stories by Jane Hissey at Amazon.com.
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