We absolutely love visiting the library and always come home laden with books. Our local library is only small but the children’s section has a good selection and the librarians are always really helpful if we are looking for a particular book or a book about a specific topic. Bear, in A Library Book for Bear, is stubborn and it takes a kind librarian to show him that borrowing books can help to broaden his reading experience.
The Story: Bear has seven books at home and can’t see the need to read any more. He reluctantly promises Mouse that he will accompany him to the library where he rebuffs Mouse’s efforts to help him find a library book. Finally Mouse gives up but just as they are leaving Bear hears the librarian reading a story…
Bear is overwhelmed by the size of the library and the number of books on its shelves. His insecurities manifest themselves through his moaning (in a rather loud, non library voice!) as Mouse tries to find him an interesting book. Bear is also stubborn, the book must be about pickles, and he refuses to look at any of the books that Mouse has found for him – his behaviour reminds me of a small, insecure child who wants his own way and refuses to listen to reason! However, the magic of storytime and a kind librarian changes his mind and Bear is so delighted with the books that he eventually borrows that he reads Mouse a story as soon as they get home!
The story has an easy to read text and despite Bear’s negative attitude there is also humour. It’s a gentle story abut friendship and we sympathise with Mouse’s frustration at Bear’s behaviour, we love the expressions on both characters’ faces as the tension rises. Our favourite picture shows all the animals listening to the story, my daughter loves the moles with their dark glasses and I love the look on the mother squirrel’s face as Bear breaks the silence by shouting.
A Library Book for Bear is a great story for introducing children to a library and we love the ending when Bear finally realised how wonderful it is to be able to borrow books.
Age Range: 4 +
Author: Bonny Becker / Illustrator: Kady MacDonald Denton
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