Bear Flies High by Michael Rosen and Adrian Reynolds
| Bear Flies High by Michael Rosen and Adrian Reynolds | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Keith Dudhnath
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| Summary: The sequel to The Bear in the Cave keeps up the very high standard. Both books will be much-loved, but it's probably a case of one or the other, rather than both. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 32 | Date: September 2009 |
| Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-0747597971 | |
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Michael Rosen builds on the success of The Bear in the Cave with Bear Flies High. This sequel follows the same poetic formula of the original, with its ask and answer I'm a bear on a beach. On a beach? On a beach... Everything is as it was first time round, but this time Bear decides he wants to fly like the seagulls, so his friends take him to the amusement park. What follows is a gentle tale of a day out, of being scared and exhilarated by rides, and of imagining oneself soaring higher and higher.
This gentle tale is perfect for all young book fans: it's got a beautiful flow to it, repetition and plenty of exciting sounds to join in with. Adrian Reynolds' illustrations suit the mood of wide-eyed childhood - they've got a traditional style, but it's not stuffy at all. There's plenty going on at the fair, which children will love looking at and making up their own stories about. Bear himself is such a cuddly thing that you'd love him to be your mate.
I'm in two minds as to whether to recommend people who own the first book buy the second. Bear Flies High is fantastic, and his new adventure is distinct enough from the old one. However, the structure is identical, and although Bear's character suits the books, it doesn't stand out so much that it cries out for a sequel. Both books are great, and there's nothing really to choose between the two, but owning both might be overkill.
As with the original, there's also a version available with a CD of Michael Rosen reading it. Get this one. He's a fantastic storyteller, and it's lovely to hear the author reading their work. More and more children's books are coming with CDs, and I hope the trend continues.
Sequels are never quites as good as the originals, but Bear Flies High is as close as they come. Recommended.
My thanks to the publishers for sending it to Bookbag.
For other picture books that come with CDs of them being read, check out Olivia by Ian Falconer, Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter Yarrow, Lenny Lipton and Eric Puybaret, The Selfish Crocodile Book of Nursery Rhymes by Faustin Charles and Michael Terry, The Noisiest Night by Thomas Taylor and Gilbert the Great by Jane Clarke.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Bear Flies High by Michael Rosen and Adrian Reynolds at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
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