All Things Kid Lit: A Birthday For Bear

Picture Book Pick of the Week:
 

A Birthday for Bear

by Bonny Becker

illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton

ISBN: 9780763637460

Candlewick Press, October 2009

56 pages

Fiction

“Bear pulled himself up to his full height and roared, ‘I do not like presents. I do not like birthday cards. I do not like balloons. I do not like parties. I do not like BIRTHDAYS!’” Still, Bear’s friend Mouse is sure he can convince Bear to celebrate. Full-color ink and watercolor illustrations.

From School Library Journal:

Grumpy old Bear is totally uninterested in celebrating his birthday, but his cheery friend Mouse doggedly dons several comical disguises to trick and cajole him into enjoying the festive trappings of a party invitation, balloons, and a present. It is all to no avail, until Mouse leaves a beautiful homemade cake on Bear's doorstep; it's hard for him to ignore his favorite flavor and the fact that no one has ever made him a cake before. Mouse, hiding in the cake, brings back the balloons, the party hats, and the gift, and Bear's birthday is celebrated, at last, in fine and joyful style.

 

Read Alikes: 

• Thank you bear by Greg Foley
• Orange Pear Apple Bear by Emily Gravett
• Dog and Bear: Two friends, Three Stories by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
• Sleepyhead Bear by Lisa Westberg Peters

Top News In Children's Lit:

Behind the 'Wimpy Kid' Phenomenon

New York Times

October 13, 2009

This is a big week for the grade-school set. Greg Heffley, the crude and clueless protagonist of Jeff Kinney's wildly popular book series, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," is back. The Internet is filled with testimonials about children who were frustrated readers until they got their hands on a Wimpy Kid book. Some parents have been less enthusiastic. But given the books' powerful appeal among both girls and boys, child development experts say parents have a lot to learn from Greg and company. While books like the Harry Potter series create an imaginative fantasy world, the Wimpy Kid books give us a rare glimpse into a child's ethical mind.

Kate DiCamillo, a Magical Storyteller

Austin American-Statesman (TX)

October 13, 2009

The publicity material that came with Kate DiCamillo's new book, "The Magician's Elephant," says it's for ages 8-13. And it is. And those young readers will certainly enjoy it on their own levels, just as they enjoyed DiCamillo's first novel, "Because of Winn-Dixie," and her Newbery Medal winner, "The Tale of Despereaux." But what a shame such a label will keep many adults from discovering an extraordinary book from an exceptional writer. Of the books you read this year, "The Magician's Elephant" could very well be the one that lingers.