This is Flea about to bite
but not because he’s impolite.
He’s biting Bear to say,
‘Hello!’,
biting high
and biting low.
Bear is sitting quietly by himself when Flea comes to visit. Unfortunately for Bear, the way Flea says hello is by biting him – here, there and everywhere. This, of course, makes Bear itchy, and soon his itching frenzy sends Bear and Flea off on an adventure out to sea. And it is there, where Bear ends up alone floating on a log whilst Flea looks set to become a seagull’s dinner, that the pair establish an unlikely friendship.
The Very Itchy Bear sees the gorgeous bear star of A Very Cranky Bear return in an equally gorgeous sequel. Whilst the bear is the same, this offering stands alone, so that familiarity with the first is not necessary.
The rhyming text is a delight to read aloud, making it lots of fun for sharing sessions, and the illustrations bring the bear to life. Flea is, for the most part, just a speck, because of his size difference, but in one illustration we see him grinning sheepishly, perched on the end of a single hair.
A wonderful offering for preschoolers.
The Very Itchy Bear, by Nick Bland
Scholastic Press, 2010
ISBN 9781741696516
This book can be purchased in good bookstores or online through Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.