Sandbear - Hardcover

Roddie, Shen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1582347581 ISBN 13: 9781582347585

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens, 2002

Synopsis

Sandbear is a touching story about a hare who hastily builds a new friend out of sand while playing at the beach. But in a moment of laziness, Hare gives Sandbear a single grass arm, a tiny pinhole mouth, and short stubby legs. Sandbear, however, has the heart of a true friend. When Hare falls into a hole, Sandbear pours himself into fill the hole to rescue Hare. An appreciative Hare rebuilds Sandbear, but this time with all the right Bear-y parts. Sandbear is as sunny as a day at the beach and as fresh as a sea breeze.

About this title

About the Author

Shen Roddie is the author of many fine books for children including Toes are to Tickle. She was born in Singapore and began her writing career as journalist and also worked as head of media for Shell Company and as a free-lance copy-writer before becoming a children's book author. She now lives in Oxford, England.

Reviews

PreSchool-Grade 2-When Hare spies a potential form in a sandhill, he is inspired to stop and sculpt a delightful "Sandbear." The artist is enthusiastic, but a bit careless in creating his friend. It's not clear why he's in such a rush, but he is, and he deems two short legs enough "for a bear who's not going anywhere" and a blade of grass sufficient for a hand. Little does Hare suspect that his creation has a mind of his own and will shuffle off to the woods to stay warm when the wind starts to blow. It is fortunate for Hare that he does, for Sandbear hears Hare's cries for help and sacrifices himself to save his friend. A regretful protagonist uses the same sand to create a new Sandbear, this time with strong arms for hugging; bigger, bright eyes for seeing; and a B-I-G mouth for sharing food on picnics. Jones's lovely paintings beautifully illustrate this charming story of friendship. Sandbear is a delightful, wistful, appealing creature who will enchant children and make them long for their very own sand friends.
Robin L. Gibson, Perry County District Library, New Lexington, OH
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Out in the dunes, a wild wind blew and the sands shivered. It made quivery sand waves and puffy little sandhills. With this lilting beginning, Roddie (Too Close Friends) launches a magical tale about imagination, creativity and responsibility. The mounds of shifting sand inspire Hare, a towering, dapper fellow in a red vest and floppy hat, to sculpt a bear. But the harried Hare doesn't take great pains with his art unlike Welsh artist Jones, whose golden-hued, finely textured acrylic paintings exude a meticulous sense of craftsmanship. I'd love to make you handsomer but it's hard work and I don't have all day, Hare says to his creation. He tosses sand about to fashion an approximation of an ursine body, pokes in a single strand of sandgrass for an arm and slaps on a piece of driftwood for the nose. Hare abandons the sand sculpture without another thought, but Sandbear shivers to life an eager-to-please gentle giant. When Sandbear proves he's willing to sacrifice himself to save his creator, Hare realizes there's more to what he's made than a moment's diversion. Jones depicts a tearful Hare devotedly recrafting Sandbear with the substantial features of a hero. A lovely, understated joy radiates from the final scene, in which the rejuvenated Sandbear piggybacks Hare into the woods for a picnic the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Ages 4-up.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1582347581
• ISBN 13: 9781582347585
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Jones Jenny
• Number of pages: 32