We’re huge huge fans of bears in books and we loved Scaredy Bear from the moment we met him. The friendship that develops between Scaredy Bear and a little rabbit is really heartwarming and the story shows us that we are often braver than we think.
The Story: Mum has read Little Bob a bedtime story about the BIG HAIRY so Little Bob creeps out of bed to try and find him. He makes friends with a bear, Big Bob, who is impressed by Little Bob’s bravery. But when Little Bob is threatened by a fox, he is surprised to discover that his new friend is the BIG HAIRY!
Big Bob and Little Bob are really endearing characters and we love Little Bob’s explanation that although he is small he is ‘big inside’. Little Bob is so kind and patient with Big Bob and we love the way that they play together.
Little Bob’s extra pointy carrot makes us laugh! He tells Big Bob about his plan to use it as a weapon against the BIG HAIRY but once the BIG HAIRY’s identity is revealed the carrot is used for a different purpose and demonstrates how good it is to share with friends.
The text is easy to read (we like the font that is used) and Caroline Pedler’s illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. We particularly love the night time spreads with their turquoisy blue backgrounds. Big Bob is fabulously cuddly and Little Bob is extremely cute, his rucksack is adorable! One of our favourite spreads shows Little Bob introducing himself to Big Bob, who doesn’t have a name until they meet, we love the way that Big Bob’s paws are as big as Little Bob!
Scaredy Bear is a wonderfully gentle story which can stimulate discussion about confidence and friendship. It shows that size doesn’t matter, it’s how you feel inside that is important.
Author: Steve Smallman / Illustrator: Caroline Pedler
Thank you to Little Tiger for sending Scaredy Bear. We would love to see Big Bob and Little Bob in another story 🙂
More Bear Books that we love on Pinterest
Aaaa I love a good bear character too, obviously my favourite still being Winnie the Pooh, this looks like a very sweet story indeed #readwithme
We love Winnie the Pooh too but with so many fabulous ‘book bears’ to choose from it’s really hard to pick a favourite!!
Ah we love a good bear book too! This one sounds lovely, I’ll keep a lookout for it. #readwithme
Scaredy Bear is really cute. Caroline Pedler’s illustrations just make you want to hug him 🙂
This sounds a delightful story. Wish my boys were young enough for this one #readwithme
It’s lovely story, my ten year old loves it 🙂
Those illustrations are beautiful! I love books about friendships between different animals. My absolute favourite children’s book is The Snail and the Whale. I could never read it without crying!
The Snail and the Whale is a great book! I once read an article about the challenge that Axel Scheffler had drawing a snail on top of a whale. In real life you wouldn’t see the snail at all!
What a sweet storybook. My youngest would love this! We also love bears in stories, especially Winnie the Pooh and not forgetting Paddington bear!
Thanks for sharing with #MMBC. 🙂
It’s a lovely story and great to show that, however big or small we are, we can all be brave 🙂
I love the turquoise-ness of the colouring in this! Just really appeals to me! #readwithme
Caroline Pedler’s illustrations are beautiful, I absolutely love the way that she draws her animals 🙂