The Little Bear Book

Back by popular demand! A little white bear and his magic pencil make wonderful things happen in this early work from celebrated author illustrator Anthony Browne.

As a bear strolls through the forest, he meets a lonely gorilla, a noisy crocodile, a lion, and even an elephant. They all look as if they are missing something, so the bear steps in to save the day, using his magic pencil to draw just what they are looking for. Originally published in 1988, this enchanting story by a picture-book master is available again for a brand-new audience.

“Browne makes the surreal accessible and appealing for children. His gorgeously detailed illustrations pace the story perfectly, alternating busy, wide forest shots with close-ups of Bear against a white background working his magic. ... Preschoolers will identify with the pragmatic bear and wish for a magic pencil of their own. --The Horn Book Bear's slightly surreal journey is perfectly paced and just right for the most imaginative tots. As Bear continues, he meets Crocodile, Lion, and Elephant before coming to a wall, which he neatly takes care of, too, by drawing a bear-sized hole and stepping through. Although the book closes with Bear saying bye-bye, children will happily imagine further adventures. --Booklist Online The text is simple and unadorned, some pages wordless, leaving plenty of space for visual exuberance and wit. Browne's illustrative art is as richly colored as a Turkish carpet, and each image is surrounded by more white space -- suggesting that imagination and art need room to grow. --The Boston Globe”

Browne makes the surreal accessible and appealing for children. His gorgeously detailed illustrations pace the story perfectly, alternating busy, wide forest shots with close-ups of Bear against a white background working his magic. ... Preschoolers will identify with the pragmatic bear and wish for a magic pencil of their own.
—The Horn Book

Bear’s slightly surreal journey is perfectly paced and just right for the most imaginative tots. As Bear continues, he meets Crocodile, Lion, and Elephant before coming to a wall, which he neatly takes care of, too, by drawing a bear-sized hole and stepping through. Although the book closes with Bear saying bye-bye, children will happily imagine further adventures.
—Booklist Online

The text is simple and unadorned, some pages wordless, leaving plenty of space for visual exuberance and wit. Browne's illustrative art is as richly colored as a Turkish carpet, and each image is surrounded by more white space — suggesting that imagination and art need room to grow.
—The Boston Globe

Anthony Browne is the author-illustrator of nearly forty books for children, including One Gorilla: A Counting Book; Little Beauty, which was named an outstanding international book by the U.S. Board on Books for Young People; How Do You Feel?; and the Willy books. He served as the British Children’s Laureate from 2009 to 2011, and his books have received many distinctions, including the Kate Greenaway Medal for Gorilla and Zoo. In 2000, Anthony Browne received the highest international honor for illustration, the Hans Christian Andersen Award. Anthony Browne lives in Kent, England.

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