cranky bear – Aussie Reviews

The Very Sleepy Bear, by Nick Bland

Winter had come early and Bear was running late.
He was feeling very sleepy, it was time to hibernate.
He hurried down the mountain, past the icy rocks,
and never even noticed a rather sneaky Fox.

The Bear is back – and this time he’s really sleepy. Winter is here, and he needs to hibernate, but a sneaky fox thinks Bear needs a new bigger cave. First he offers a train tunnel, then a bat cave, and lastly an ocean-side cave. When bear decides he’s had enough and wants to go back to his own snug cave, he finds Fox and his friends have moved in.

The Very Sleepy Bear features the bear who youngsters may well know from The Very cranky bear and other offerings. Told in humorous rhyme and featuring the big brown bear and assorted other characters in gently humorous acrylics , the book will nightstand repeated rereading – which is just as well, because it will be requested over and over.

The Very Sleepy Bear, by Nick Bland
Scholastic, 2017
ISBN 9781743812549

The Very Noisy Bear, by Nick Bland

In the Jingle Jangle Jungle,
there was music in the air…
And it landed in the ears
of a very sleepy Bear.

When Bear is woken by his friends playing music, they suggest he joins in. But when he tries to play the drums, he bashes too hard and knocks them over, when he tries to play the guitar, his claws get tangled in the strings, and when he tries the trumpet, he makes a loud screech that scares the monkeys. Luckily his friends are persistent -and when he’s offered the microphone, Bear soon has everybody dancing when he roars in perfect harmony.

The Very Noisy Bear has all the fun of its predecssors, including The Very Cranky Bear, with humorous rhyming text, gorgeous animal-filled illustrations (rendered in acryclic paint), and a gentle, humorous story.

Lot sto like!

The Very Noisy Bear, by Nick Bland
Scholastic Press, 2015
ISBN 9781743627853

Available from good bookstores and online.

The Very Hungry Bear, by Nick Bland

Bear was in a GRUMPY mood,
he hadn’t eaten any food,
and he couldn’t catch a single fish to cook.

First he was cranky, then he was itchy, now Bear is back and he’s Very Hungry. He’s been fishing all day without catching anything. When he does eventually catch something it isn’t one fish – but a polar bear with a whole armful of them. Polar Bear says he will gladly give Bear all of the fish if Bear will help him find somewhere to stay. Bear is happy to do this, and takes his new friend home to his cave. But the cave is too warm, and Bear is soon busy seeking out possible homes for his new friends. It takes a while, but eventually they find a place that is just right. Everybody is happy – but Bear – ho has given his fish to prospective housemates for the white bear – is still hungry.

The Very Hungry Bear is a new installment in the series which began with The Very Cranky Bear and, like its predecessors is both heartwarming and funny. Bear – and his friends, including the Polar Bear, are larger than life, with lovable and expressive features. The rhyming text flows well and the story has humorous twists which will delight young readers.

Very cute.

The Very Hungry Bear, by Nick Bland
Scholastic, 2012
ISBN

Available from good bookstores or online.