Bear at the Beach

Learn to Read, Sr,

REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

Laugh Meter: Not a Comedy
Fear Factor: No Fear
Subject Matter: Mild Concerns

Bear at the Beach is a lovely little story with a vintage, ethereal quality. It is about a little bear who is lovingly cared for by Clara, but the little bear realizes that he is missing a father.  His journey to find his father comes full circle when he realizes he is looking for someone to love and be loved by and he realizes he has all that in Clara.  

Bear at the Beach is wonderful chronicle about the meaning of love and family, that emphasizes family can look very different from our traditional idea of it.  I love these words of wisdom from the hermit crab who Bear runs into, "Some of us make homes where we find them.  What matters is that you are safe and cared for and loved."

Just one word of caution, if your reader is fragile about fathers, I would proceed with caution.  This whole book is about fathers or the idea of fathers.  

This story is a really nice departure from the usual (read: sometimes boring) Learn to Read fare, as it is beautifully written and illustrated.  It is also one of those easy books older readers can use and be reassured by if they are having any issues of loneliness, etc.

Author/Illustrator:  Clay Carmichael

Book Stats:  1996, $5.95, 43 pp

Subjects:  Family, Love, Animals: Bears

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BUY NOW FROM AMAZON:  Bear at the Beach