Baby Bear - Hardcover

Nelson, Kadir

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0062241729 ISBN 13: 9780062241726

Publisher: Balzer + Bray, 2014

Synopsis

The acclaimed tale of a lost little bear searching for home from Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Award winner Kadir Nelson.

Baby Bear is lost and afraid. All the other animals try to help:
Trust yourself.
Sing a song.
Retrace your steps.

As Baby Bear gains courage with every step, he realizes he was never far from home after all.

With poetic text and stunning illustrations, Baby Bear is an impressive addition to the canon of timeless picture book classics.

About this title

Review

An Amazon Best Children's Book of the Month, January 2014: Kadir Nelson’s beautiful illustrations take readers to the woods in this sweet story of a little bear trying to find his way home. Though he is lost, Baby Bear is never really alone as he crosses paths with other animals of the forest who offer sage advice and reassurance. There is laughter and tears, but ultimately a return to the lush landscape of home. Baby Bear shines as a calming picture book tale of kindness and learning to trust ourselves. --Seira Wilson

Behind the Scenes of Baby Bear by Kadir Nelson.

Click here for a larger image Baby Bear was inspired by multiple sources, but there is one in particular that stands out. I remember sitting at the Newberry-Caldecott awards banquet and listening to Laura Amy Schlitz deliver her acceptance speech. She spoke beautifully about an imaginary bear that confronted her in a moonlit clearing in the forest. In addition to her brilliant story, I couldn't get the image out of my head. I thought I'd really love to paint it one day. I knew that when the idea to write and illustrate Baby Bear came about, I would save a special spot for an important meeting by moonlight. And thus, Baby Bear meets dear Owl.

Click here for a larger imageWhile exploring the scene with dear Owl, I remembered being on the big island in Hawaii and gazing up at the starry heavens. The stars were so bright, the sky a deep indigo blue, and the Milky Way so clear. It didn't seem real. I felt as though each star was so close I could reach out and touch it. I felt so loved by and connected to them. It was this feeling I wanted to capture for Baby Bear as Owl tells him, "You only need look up and keep going. You will find your way home."

Click here for a larger imageI wanted Frog to be kind of a Yogi who was a bit cranky. Baby Bear interrupts his peaceful state and it makes Frog a little crabby. However, Frog still imparts a little wisdom to Baby Bear. "Trust yourself. You will find your way home."

Click here for a larger imageMy sketches are generally very loose. Like a stage performer, I like to save a bit for the final performance. Here dear Ram helps light the way for Baby Bear as he stands atop a hill with the full moon framing his stately figure. He tells Baby Bear to "sing a song" to help him get out of his sorrowful mood. It's a great way lift yourself up, to "climb a little higher," as the Ram says.

From the Back Cover

Baby Bear is lost and trying to find his way home. As he walks through the forest, he meets other animals who offer wise advice.

Trust yourself.
Listen to your heart.
Keep walking and you will find your way home.

As each encounter moves Baby Bear farther along on his journey, he gains courage and the comforting feeling that he is loved and never alone.

With poetic text and stunning illustrations, Baby Bear is a powerful addition to the canon of timeless picture-book classics.

About this edition

• Publisher: Balzer + Bray
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0062241729
• ISBN 13: 9780062241726
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Nelson Kadir