Thank You Bear - Hardcover

Foley, Greg

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0670061654 ISBN 13: 9780670061655

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers, 2007

Synopsis

Early one morning, a little bear found a little box.

He looked inside. Then he exclaimed,

“Why, it’s the greatest thing ever! Mouse will love this.”

Bear’s friends aren’t so sure of his newfound treasure, however. “That’s not so great,” says Monkey. “I’ve seen those before,” says Owl. And by the time Bear finds Mouse, his own doubts have grown. But Mouse has the last say when he looks inside the little box. “It is the greatest thing ever,” he tells his friend. “Thank you, Bear.”

Part mystery, part fable, this deceptively simple story of true friendship is perfect for the very youngest reader. It is sure to tug at your heart.

Good Luck Bear is the 2008 winner of the Charlotte Zolotow Award.

About this title

About the Author

Greg Foley is the creative director at Visionaire and V magazine. He lives in New York City.

Reviews

Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 1—Bear has found something fantastic-a little box that Mouse will just love. But by the time Bear shows it to his friend, he is unsure of his gift's value, because everyone he has met along the way has pooh-poohed it as either too small, too ordinary, or better in someone else's hands. But Bear and Mouse aren't friends for nothing. Sure enough, Mouse agrees that the box is "the greatest thing ever." Bear's journey from euphoria to doubt to euphoria again is gently rendered. There is not a lot of detail in this book, but not a lot is needed. Pastels provide the backdrop for the text, while Bear and his detractors stand in contrast on a white page, carrying the story with their expressions and body language. Young listeners, particularly those who understand the value of leaves and stones and bottle caps, will love this book. They will hope that Bear will remain steadfast and trust in Mouse, who rewards Bear's thoughtfulness with the gratitude of a true friend. Absolutely charming.—Kara Schaff Dean, Needham Public Library, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pleased to find a small, empty box, Bear calls it "the greatest thing ever!" and he decides to take it to his friend Mouse. Along the way, he meets Monkey, Owl, Fox, Elephant, Squirrel, and Rabbit, but no one really appreciates his find. Bear begins to doubt his earlier enthusiasm until Mouse comes along. After listening to Bear and exploring the box inside and out, Mouse pronounces it "the greatest thing ever!" and curls up inside it for a nap. Designed and illustrated with a minimum of fuss, the book can be enjoyed by very young children, while somewhat older ones may want to talk about how they feel when others don't value the things they treasure. In his first picture book, author-illustrator Foley shows unusual restraint in letting essential lines, areas of flat color, and a little stippled shading illustrate the equally spare text. In an age of visual glitz, this simple picture book speaks in a refreshingly unpretentious way. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0670061654
• ISBN 13: 9780670061655
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Foley Greg
• Number of pages: 32