Hey Kids,
It’s your favorite bear, Thorndyke. This might not come as a surprise, but I love books. Did you know I really love books about bears? It’s true.
There are many bear books that are classics. What is a classic book? A classic book is timeless. Classic books tell stories we love to read and listen to over and over again, generation after generation. They make us feel all warm and cozy inside.
Here’s another newsflash. Did you know lots of parents (and even grandparents) love it when their kids (and grandkids) read the same books they enjoyed when they were your age? It’s true. Many grownups have fond memories of their favorite bear books with their parents.
I have a soft spot in my fuzzy bear heart for these favorite bear books. Maybe some will become a classic for your family too.
The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach. A tale of a bear, lost in the city, who happens upon an unattended sandwich in the park. The bear’s journey from forest to city and back home again is full of happy accidents, funny encounters and sensory delights. The story is so engrossing, it’s not until the very end that we begin to suspect this is a tall tale.
Bear Feels Scared by Karma Wilson. Poor Bear gets lost on a dark and stormy night. While Bear is on the trail of a snack, things quickly turn windy, wet and, as Bear gets lost, downright spooky. He cries and trembles, curling up amid the gnarled roots of a huge tree until his faithful friends form a proper search party to come to his aid. Part of a series of Bear stories by the author.
The Berenstain Bears' Fall Family Fun by Stan Berenstain. The first book starring The Berenstain Bears was published back in 1962. Since then, hundreds of titles have been published. In this book, the Berenstain Bears’ family celebrate two fall holidays, in which the cubs have an adventure on Halloween night and participate in a Thanksgiving pumpkin contest.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin. A big happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse and a soft yellow duck all parade across the pages of this delightful book. Children will immediately respond to Eric Carle's flat, boldly colored collages. Combined with Bill Martin's singsong text, they create unforgettable images of these endearing animals.
Corduroy by Don Freeman. Just like Corduroy, I was taken into a kind place, spruced up, and made new friends after a long life on the shelf. I was actually never on the shelf and was a more of an urban wilderness bear, but I’m still forever grateful for being taken in at the Canton Public Library—and Corduroy stirs up all those happy feelings.
Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick. Before Winnie-the-Pooh there was a real bear named Winnie, and she was a girl. In 1914, Harry Colebourn, a veterinarian on his way to tend horses in World War I, followed his heart and rescued a baby bear. He named her Winnie, after his hometown of Winnipeg, and he took the bear off to war.
Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel. The friendship between these two reminds me of all the best friends I’ve ever had. To all the lovely patrons and staff who come and go in the library, the ones who say hello to me, admire my costumes, and offer me book recommendations: You are all my best friends and I never forget (psst... Miss Ruth, I still miss you!). Frog and Toad have been around a long time, and so has my love of friendship.
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. I’ve read this one many times and am always impressed with Claudia and Jamie’s sense of adventure when they run away, but it reminds me of my library home. I spend a lot of long nights in the library after closing time, and it’s a lot like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, except we don’t have a fountain here. And you can’t throw coins in the fish tank. You'll get in trouble—not that I would know.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Margrete Lamond. This folktale was first published in 1837 by English poet and author Robert Southey. When Goldilocks wanders too far into the woods she comes across an empty house, and she's barely across the threshold before she starts to make a mess of things. Then the family of bears returns home and discover their visitor.
Honey by David Ezra Stein. While he waits for honey season to arrive, Bear finds other sources of joy, including frolicking in the rain and under a waterfall. But finally, at the sound of a buzz, Bear goes running to the source: "'Honey!’ Just as good as he'd remembered."
Jamberry by Bruce Degen. A rumbling, rambling and rhyming bear serves as tour guide to a small boy on a wondrous excursion through a fascinating world of berries of every description.
Time to Sleep by Denise Fleming. When Bear notices that winter is nearly here he hurries to tell Snail, after which each animal tells another until finally the already sleeping Bear is awakened in his den with the news.
Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne. The adventures of a good-natured, yellow-furred, honey-loving Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acres Wood. His companions are a young boy named Christopher Robin, a donkey named Eeyore, a shy pig called Piglet, the wise ole Owl, a meddling Rabbit, momma Kanga and her baby Roo.
Where's My Teddy? by Jez Alborough. Eddy’s lost his teddy, Freddy, so he goes off into the woods in search of the missing bear. The dark, horrible woods hold a gigantic surprise for Eddy, who discovers his teddy bear has grown much too big to cuddle. Could it be a case of mistaken identity?
These books still make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when I think of them and I especially love watching others check them out.
I’ll tell you a secret, too: a lot of parents really want you kids to enjoy the same books they did. It’s really fun to share a special book, but the old folks should not be the only ones who get to share their favorites. You should share the books that give you the warm fuzzies with your grown-ups, too.
If they poo-poo your suggestions, show them the books below that will remind them of how important kids’ books are, even for grownups.
Why You Should Read Children's Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise by Katherine Rundell. Sometimes grownups think they are too old for “kids' books,” but Katherine Rundell reminds those old, wise folks that kids' books are good for them, too.
Wild Things: The Joy of Reading Children's Literature by Bruce Handy. For every adult who grew up and still hold their own childhood stories close to their heart.
Steeped in Stories by Mitali Perkins. Children’s author Mitali Perkins (she’s great!) revisits some old childhood classics and talks about why they are still important. Not just for the warm fuzzies, but to give us hope in difficult times.
My friends here at the library also love children’s books. Even the library workers who are very serious and grown up and read serious, grownup things have fond memories of their favorite childhood books. I asked them what books gave them the warmest, fuzziest feelings, and these are the stories they shared with me.
What books spark warm and fuzzy, cherished childhood memories and feelings in your family? I would love to have you share with me the next time you and your family visit the library.
Bear Hugs,
Thorndyke
Add a comment to: The Beary Best Kids Books