Item 1 of 1
Where, where is Swamp Bear? -
by Kathi Appelt ; pictures by Megan Halsey.
Publisher description
New York : HarperCollins Publishers, 2002.
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 21 cm.
Annotations:
- While fishing with his grandfather in the swamp, a young boy asks all kinds of questions about a very special bear.
Best Books:
- Best Children's Books of the Year, 2003 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2003 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, January 2002 ; Cahners; United States
Reading Measurement Programs:
Accelerated Reader
Interest Level Lower Grade
Book Level 3.2
Accelerated Reader Points 0.5
Reviews:
- Lauren Peterson (Booklist, Feb. 15, 2002 (Vol. 98, No. 12))
Pierre has heard stories of Swamp Bear, so when he goes fishing with his grandfather in the Louisiana swamps, he is full of questions for "Granpere." As Pierre pumps his grandfather for information on the bear's habits so he can catch a glimpse of the critter, Halsey's attractive, cut-paper illustrations show the cleverly camouflaged bear in every scene, along with some 30 other creatures and plants that live in the swamp and surrounding forest. Preschoolers will relate to Pierre's constant questions and enjoy searching every scene for the elusive bear. The story may prompt older children to discuss concepts such as camouflage, as well as some of the issues raised in the author's endnote regarding the endangered Louisiana black bear and the loss of the swamps and natural forests where it lives. Category: Books for the Young--Fiction. 2002, HarperCollins, $15.95, $15.89. Ages 3-6.Donna Freedman (Children's Literature)
A child and a grandparent explore the world around them--does this sound like countless other children's books? Well, Swamp Bear is unique. Pierre asks his Granpere many questions about the rare and elusive Louisiana black bear, and as his grandfather patiently answers, he opens the child's eyes to the wonders of nature. The irresistible cadence of the rhyming text will have you reading with a Cajun accent, even if you've never been to Louisiana. Halsey's handsome cut-paper work lends a folk-art simplicity to the illustrations. But look closer: her work is astonishingly complex, from the rich earth tones of a snipe's feathers to the delicate shadings of forest greenery. 2002, HarperCollins, $15.95. Ages 3 to 7.Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, November 15, 2001 (Vol. 69, No. 22))
Appelt ("Bubbles, Bubbles", 2001, etc.) offers a consciousness-raiser about an endangered animal in a catchy, rhymed dialogue for two voices. As a tubby, cheerful-looking bear romps unnoticed in the background-or foreground, sometimes-of a Louisiana swamp, young Pierre pesters his patient Granpere: "PIERRE: But where, where is Swamp Bear? GRANDERE: Wherever there's a pine tree to use as a scratching post. PIERRE: Not a sweet gum or a tupelo? GRANPERE: I've heard she likes the pine trees most." Halsey ("Circus 1-2-3", not reviewed, etc.) depicts a variety of swamp fauna (identified on the endpapers) slipping between the cypress in her layered, cut-paper illustrations, and Appelt's closing plea for the elusive Louisiana black bear includes the true story of how one became the original "Teddy" bear. Readers will love finding the nearly hidden bear in every spread. Perfect fare for young naturalists and a "natural" for tandem reading aloud too. 2002, HarperCollins, $15.95. Category: Picture book. Ages 5 to 7. © 2001 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved. Subjects:
- Bears Fiction.
Swamps Fiction.
Grandfathers Fiction.
| Language | Call Number | LCCN | Dewey Decimal | ISBN/ISSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English (eng) | PZ7.A6455 Wh 2002 |
00033582 |
[E] |
0688171028 0688171036 (lib. bdg.) 9780688171025 9780688171032 |