Three Bears in a Boat by David Soman**

 This book is delightful!! I love the allusions (which only adults will understand but could point out to their kids). The illustrations are full page. The ocean illustrations took my breath away; I felt like I was in the middle of the waves. This book reinforces the importance of honesty and forgiveness. 

Three sibling bears break their mother's favorite blue seashell. To avoid punishment, they sail into the ocean to look for a new shell. They experience an adventure without attaining their goal. How Mother Bear is illustrated reminds me of the mother in Little Bear books by Else Holmelund Miniarik illustrated by Maurice Sendak.

**Highly, highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Brother Hugo and the Bear by Katy Beebe illustrated by S.D. Schindler*

 A bear ate the abbey's copy of St. Augustine's letters while in Brother Hugo's possession. The consequence? Brother Hugo must copy it during Lent. Readers will be immersed in the process of book-making during the 12th century as they enjoy a delightful, humorous story. Based on notes found in a 12th century manuscript. A helpful historical note and a glossary are included. The illustrations are exquiste.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Winnie's Great War by Lindsay Mattick & Josh Greenhut illustrated by Sophie Blackall

 Ms. Mattick's great-grandfather, Harry Colebourn, bought a bear on his way to WWI.  He named her Winniepeg after his home town.  Soon Winnie, which was her nickname, became the Second Canadian Infantry Brigade's mascot.  To save her from the perils of the war, Lt. Colebourn takes her to the London zoo until the war ends.  Since she was so friendly, visitors could actually enter her enclosure and interact with her.  After the war Lt. Colebourn realizes that Winnie would live a fuller, happier life at the zoo, so he donates her.  It just so happened that one of her regular visitors was a boy named Christopher Robin.  As his father observed Christopher's interactions with her, a story developed . . .Winnie-the-Pooh!

Ms. Mattick divides the book up by Winnie's different settings (the woods, White River, Valcartier, Atlantic Ocean, Salisbury Plain etc).  The story also revolves around Lt. Colebourn's journal entries, which she includes in the book.  Although the book is based on fact and research, a lot of the dialogue, relationships, and events are imaginary.  Additional information and photographs are included after the story finishes.

Very interesting and cute!

-Borrowed from the library.

Alphabears by Kathleen Hague illustrated by Michael Hague

An ABC Book
Sarah Clarkson recommended this book in her book Book Girl.
With rhyming couplets, Ms. Hague introduces a bear with a name for each letter of the alphabet.
The illustrations are intricate and invite the reader to look carefully.
-Borrowed from the library.

I Survived #17 The Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967 by Lauren Tarshis

Melody Vega and her family visit Glacier National Park each year during the summer.  This year the vacation only reminds Melody of her mother who died in a car accident the previous year. 
A grizzly ambles onto the property surrounding their cabin and tries to break in through the door.  When they report the incident to the rangers, they seem unconcerned.  Days later Melody once again encounters the grizzly and this time she does not know if she will survive!
*Perfect book for reluctant readers.
Typically the main character is a boy which I wish she would stick to since there are so many books out there for girl readers. 
-Borrowed from the library.

Share, Big Bear, Share by Maureen Wright illustrated by Will Hillenbrand*

I love Mr. Hillenbrand's illustrations so when I saw this book displayed at our library, I checked it out (even though my boys are well past the toddler stage!).
Big Bear gathers a huge bucket of blueberries and is about to indulge in their sweetness when the old oak tree reminds him to share.  Each time, however, Big Bear misunderstands what he says.  Big Bear finally hears the old oak tree correctly and willingly shares his blueberries with his forest friends.

Teaching reading idea- The book contains a lot of "r-controlled vowel" words.  Have reader go on a scavenger hunt for them and see how many he/she can find.

Rhyming text and repetitive lines will make this book attractive to toddlers and preschoolers.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Big Honey Hunt by Stanley and Janice Berenstain

My first grader read this book to himself.
Mama asks (commands!) Papa Bear to fetch some honey from the store.  Papa decides to take Brother Bear on an adventure, gathering honey from the bees.
Humorous!
I do not like how this series portrays Papa Bear as dumb and irresponsible.
Guided Reading Level: I (1st grade)
-Borrowed from the library.

Waiting for Winter by Sebastian Meschenmoser

Deer tells Squirrel about snow.  Squirrel, hedgehog and bear are usually sleeping when it snows so they have no way of identifying it.  All they know is that it is white, wet, cold and soft.  So they wait.  Readers will giggle when they see the animals'  misinterpretations!
The animal expressions are funny.
-Borrowed from the library.
Strategy: schema

Hotel Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins

Sequel to Mother Bruce
Bruce has reluctantly adopted a flock of geese and migrates south with them.  When he and his flock return to his cave in the spring, he discovers mice have turned it into a hotel.   Grumpy Bruce becomes grumpier and until he explodes!
-Borrowed from the library.

The Bear and the Piano by David Litchefield

One day a bear discovers an unusual object sitting in the middle of the forest.  It is a piano.  In time he learns to play and play well.  A girl and father encounter the bear playing beautifully and take him to the big city where he earns fame and wealth through his playing.  As the years go by, he realizes that fame and riches are not fulfilling.  So he returns home.  But have the other bears forgotten about him?
A wonderful book about home, family and beloved friends.
-Borrowed from the library.

Father Bear Comes Home by Else Holmelund Minarik illustrated by Maurice Sendak*

My six year old and I started reading this story together (taking turns reading aloud the pages to each other) but he went ahead and finished it by himself because he wanted to know the ending!
Father Bear is away fishing.  Little Bear longs to be a fisherman like Father Bear.  He informs his friends that Father Bear may bring home a mermaid  . . . .
*Highly recommend.
We borrowed this book from the library.
Guided Reading Level: I (end of 1st grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 2.4

A Kiss for Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik illustrate by Maurice Sendak*

My six year old is enjoying books from this series.  He read this book to himself.
Little Bear paints a picture for Grandmother and asks Hen to take it to her.  Grandmother likes the picture so much she sends along a kiss for Little Bear through other animals.  The pass along kiss causes a momentous event in the end.
*Highly recommend.
-We own this book.
Guided Reading Level: H (end of 1st grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 2.3

Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik illustrated by Maurice Sendak*

This collection of stories about Little Bear and his mother are delightful.
In this book, Little Bear tries to become warm while playing in the snow, fears his mother has forgotten to make him a birthday cake, and tries to fly to the moon.  The last story reviews the previous three in a fun way.
My six year old and I took turns reading the pages aloud to each.
A perfect book for advancing beginning readers.
Guided Reading Level: J (2nd grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 1.8
*Highly recommend.
-We own this book.

Little Bear's Visit by Else Holmelund Minarik*

My six year old and I took turns reading the pages aloud to each other.
Extra special to read with him since this book is mine from elementary school!
Little Bear spends a day with his grandparents where they tell him stories and have lots of fun.
Strategy: connections (T-S)
Guided Reading Level: J (2nd grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 2.7
*Highly recommend.
-We own this book.  He liked it so much that we went to an used book store and bought two other books in the series!