Rainy Day With Bear

Rainy Day With Bear follows our main character, a teddy bear, through the rainy day blues. Inspired by his owner (father?) to use his imagination and travel to all of the places he longs to be on this rainy day, the reader gets to follow him on these adventures. From Trinidad, Spain, Switzerland, Arctic, Russia and Venice. With this, his owner's book is finished and they get to go on a real trip, to Costa Rica!

A great book for an around the world theme, this book is a great teaching tool. It's also very whimsical, having bear and the human have a very father son bond. I think this book could be a perfect read-a-loud, with bright pictures, and great fun! Great for a 4-6 year old!

A 4 out of 5!

Hull, Maureen. (2004). A rainy day with bear. Lobster Press: Montreal: Quebec.

Genre- Picture Book

How to Catch a Falling Star

A story about a little boy who decides that a star as a friend would be wonderful. The book follows the little boy through his quest to reach the stars, and pull one down for his very own friend, "He dreamed how this star might be his friend. They would play hide-and-go-seek and take long walks". The little boy waits for morning and night, with several failed (but adorable) attempts at catching the star, when he spots one in the water. He waits patiently on the shore, until it washes up and he finds the star friend he's been waiting for.

How to Catch a falling star is perfect for both a read-a-loud or as a personal storytime between child and guardian. You could have the children stretching and reaching for the stars, and also teach them a valuable lesson about aiming high. This story could be read to infants-up to 4 or 5 year old children. I really enjoyed this book!

5 out of 5

Jeffers, Oliver. (2005). How to catch a star. Harper Collins: Great Britain.

Genre- Picture Book

Full Moon Rising

Another bed time story...

This story, Full Moon Rising, felt like the second in a series of bedtime stories (especially since I just read it after Can You See A Little Bear?). Joanne Taylor uses the monthly full moons to poetically explain what the going ons are in each month of the year. My favorite line being from the Harvest Moon "In September, Mom sings of the Harvest Moon. Our garden and orchard are almost empty now. The kitchen is full!" This book is written by a Nova Scotia author which is influences every page, and is a wonderful read for any child from the East or any child wanting to know about all the different seasons and activities and feelings that arise from those seasons.

Another Children's book with stunning illustrations by Susan Tooke, who integrated different Nova Scotia authors into the pages. I think this could be another interactive book, by using the months and the pictures to talk to a child about seasons and how the moon rising and setting really guides our lives.

I give this book a 4 out 5

Taylor, Joanne. (2002). Full Moon Rising. Tornto, Ontario: Tundra Books.

Genre- Picture Book

Can you See A Little Bear?

Can You See a Little Bear? follows a tiny, pristine white polar bear through a series of equally tiny adventures. As an adult reader, the tale can be immediately seen as a interactive picture book, meant to bring children in to the story. The story uses other animals, and their colors (or body shapes in the case of the poor, fat walrus) as a way to bring the children on the adventure with the little bear. With no exponential plot ups and downs, the story is soothing and ends with the little Bear curled up with his mother, ready for a nights sleep.

I think this is a classic bed time story. As I was reading it, it certainly felt interactive but not necessarily for story time. This indeed depends on your tone of voice while reading it, but it was a sentiment of being lulled intro a dream, which I very much enjoyed. The illustrations are beautiful and full of vibrant, eye catching colors. They also have this circus, jesters court type feel to them, that will help in holding the adults attention as well! This story could be read to a wide age range I believe, and would more than likely hold the attention of an infant to possibly 3 or 4 years of age.

The only limitation may be within what I found beautiful. Because the illustrations are so vibrant and detailed, they may be a bit overwhelming for a child being read to in the age range I mentioned above. An older child, who is learning to read with this story may be more likely to appreciate and enjoy the illustrations.

I give this story a 4 out 5

Mayhew, James. (2006). Can You See A Little Bear?. London: Frances Lincoln
Children's Book.

Genre- Picture Book