Cool Book: The Bear’s Surprise by Benjamin Chaud

​The Bear’s Surprise
Benjamin Chaud
 
On a fine spring day, a little French bear comes out of his den to search for his father. Where can he be? Little Bear’s quest takes him through a forest teeming with new baby animals, deep under a cave full of burrows, then through a cutout hole in a large red pipe. Turn the page and find circus people doing their laundry and practicing their acts. Father Bear’s inside the huge red tent (it’s a very tall book), as a stilt-walker and plate-spinner! The little adventurer joins his father (and Mama Bear) in a thrilling circus show, where they share the spotlight and Little Bear gets shot from a cannon. Abundant white space lets Chaud fill the pages with swirls of performers, audience members, even circus tigers. He says he draws with joy and laughter, basing characters on celebrities and friends. Mama Bear brings a special surprise of her own--can you guess what?
2015, Ages 4 to 8

Check it out from your library using the library catalog. Donate to an improved Sebastopol Regional Library here.

Recommended by: Barbara Talcroft
Barbara Talcroft reviews children’s books professionally for childrenslit.com and for Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database.  She has a Master’s degree in International Children’s Literature.  She also has many years’ experience as a teacher.  Barbara is one of the founders of LANTERN and its past chairperson.

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