The Very Small - Hardcover

Dunbar, Joyce

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0152023461 ISBN 13: 9780152023461

Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books, 2000

Synopsis

When Giant Baby Bear finds Very Small lost in the woods, he brings him home to care for him, yet as the evening approaches, Very Small yearns to be in his own bed despite the kindness he has received in his new friend's home.

About this title

About the Authors

Joyce Dunbar has written more than fifty books for children. She lives in Norwich, England.

Debi Gliori is the creator of the Mr. Bear series, as well as the illustrator of many other beloved picture books. She lives outside of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Joyce Dunbar has written more than fifty books for children. She lives in Norwich, England.

Debi Gliori is the creator of the Mr. Bear series, as well as the illustrator of many other beloved picture books. She lives outside of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Reviews

PreSchool-Grade 2-While playing in the woods, Giant Baby Bear discovers a tiny critter holding onto a falling leaf. The Very Small, who has brown-spotted fur overalls, pointy ears, and long wavy antennae, declares that he is lost and asks for his mommy. Although Giant Baby Bear takes him home and shares his parents, his room, his toys, his dinner, and his bathtub with his new friend, the little creature still feels a bit homesick. After the two are tucked into bed, Giant Baby Bear sneezes and the Very Small is catapulted into the air, through the woods, and into the arms of his relieved parents. By creating an interesting juxtaposition between things large and small, Dunbar mixes familiar themes of friendship, sharing, and longing for home into a story that seems fresh and unique. The text reads aloud nicely and gracefully acknowledges the wide range of emotions experienced by the Very Small during his adventure. The appealing watercolor paintings work well with the story, and many of the scenes accentuate the difference in size between the minute visitor and his huge hosts. The last illustration is a close-up of the Very Small, looking very large as he clings to his teddy bear, which now seems "very small!" A gentle, reassuring story written with careful attention to a young child's perspective.
Joy Fleishhacker, formerly at School Library Journal
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

An oversize format and the intriguing juxtaposition of large and little make for a fetching picture book from the team behind Tell Me Something Happy Before I Go to Sleep. Giant Baby Bear stumbles across a thimble-size "something" while playing in the woods one day, and takes the tiny creature home with him. Though the ursine fellow's size frightens the "Very Small," he cheers up when his new friend builds him a playground with a seesaw made from a pencil and spool, and shares his dinner (the miniature guest eats "one whole pea and five whole crumbs of bread"). After a bath, the new friends snuggle down for the nightAuntil a sneeze from Giant Baby Bear sends Very Small flying serendipitously back to his own parents. Dunbar's catchy, well-paced sentences (the bear's mother "gave a great big grin, showing all her great big teeth"), inspire Gliori's autumn-toned watercolors, which make the most of the contrasting sizes. Such enchanting vignettes as the teeny critter perched on the edge of its large host's plate or hiding his eyes from the scary sight of Giant Daddy Bear will win readers over. Ages 3-7. (Oct.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ages 3-6. While playing in the woods, Giant Baby Bear finds a tiny lost creature. He takes the Very Small home and does his best to make the homesick creature feel better. He shares his toys, his dinner, and even his parents. At bedtime, Giant Baby Bear places his new friend next to him on his pillow and falls fast asleep. But the Very Small can't sleep because Giant Baby Bear snores so loudly. When the creature tries to make him stop by pinching his nose, Bear lets out a big sneeze that blows his little friend all the way back to the very spot in the woods where the two first met. There to meet him are his own parents, who take him home and tuck him in bed with his own stuffed bear that is just the right size. Appealingly illustrated with charming watercolor scenes of the two friends at play, this sweet story celebrates friendship and sharing. Lauren Peterson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0152023461
• ISBN 13: 9780152023461
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Gliori Debi
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32