"The Other Bear walked on.
Bear decided to follow.
Two bears wandered along at different paces,
thinking different thoughts, and looking in
different directions, when they met ... "
Each of the five bears in this welcome book from Catherine Rayner is different from the others. In the beginning, Bear is out for a walk alone before encountering Other Bear. Bear is suspicious of Other Bear's attention. Other Bear is merely saying hello and wishing Bear a nice day.
As the two walk on together, they meet another bear who is not pleased with their presence. First Bear and Other Bear assure Grunty Bear they want nothing and wish that third bear a nice day. Offering a contrite thanks, the bears on ... differently, but looking in the same direction which allows them to see 'a very big bear!
Very Big Bear hasn't a good word to say. After all, they are unknown visitors. The three walk on, while wishing Very Big Bear a nice day. Feeling lonely as they walk away, Very Big Bear decides to follow. Now there are four bears walking along, and all starting to think they like the company of others.
When they see a bear stuck in a large tree, the Stuck Bear is not looking for help. Can that be true?
"They talked, they planned, and they encouraged the
Stuck Bear until, at last, they helped that bear down."
Explaining they helped because sometimes help is needed and wishing Unstuck Bear a nice day, they move on. It isn't long until Unstuck Bear calls out to them, saying there is no certainty that other bears are friendly. Can different bears be friends? Turns out that each one of them has the same reason for being together!
This is a wonderful readaloud for an early years classroom. The ability to anticipate what comes next, the repetitive language that connects one meeting to the next, and the thought process as the bears move forward toward lasting friendship has implications for important and relevant conversation.
Catherine Rayner’s textured and expressive illustrations are a real delight and will hold attentions from start to finish. Kids will want to identify the bear species and that could easily lend itself to further research and learning.
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