A bear tale.. (Well Done, Little Bear - Martin Waddell)

Member Name: anwar7

Product:	Well Done, Little Bear - Martin Waddell
Date:	08/11/08 (154 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: see review

Disadvantages: see review

As Christmas approaches and people look for presents to buy their children I thought I would review some of my favourite children's books. A book makes an idea gift at any time of year, is not too expensive and won't need batteries!

Well done little bear is another lovely book written by one of my favourite children's authors, Martin Waddell. As with all my children's book reviews I like to tell the story so you can decide if the book is suitable for the child.

The story.
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Little bear lives with big bear. The first page tells us that big bear is the big one and little bear is the little bear! I find this opening page charming! One day little bear wants to go exploring. They head to bear rock where little bear tries climbing. Big bear praises and encourages little bear. When little bear decides to jump from the big rock he needs big bear to help him.

Little bear continues exploring closely followed by big bear. He finds a tree branch to bounce from. Again big bear watches over the little bear praising the little bears efforts. When little bear bounces just a bit too high and falls big bear is there to catch him.

Next stop is a stream where little bear tries crossing the stream by himself. He slips on a rock and falls in the water. Luckily big bear is there to save him. Big bear then says he would like to explore on the other side of the stream. Little bear warns big bear to take care. Big bear says that as long as little bear can show him the slippery stone he will be fine! Little bear points out the stone and is again praised by big bear.

The story ends with the pair making their way back to their bear cave where they settle down to be cosy and warm together. Big bear asks little bear if he was scared when he fell in the water. Little bear says he wasn't scared, as he knew big bear was there. Big bear tells little bear he will always be there for him!

The illustrations.
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The book is beautifully illustrated by Barbara Firth. My son's favourite illustration is little bear in the stream. He has a very shocked look of his little face! I love the simplicity of the drawings and think they complement the text perfectly. I love the frog that gets no mention in the text but appears in several of the illustrations-very cute!

Overall.
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This is a lovely children's book that is probably suitable for children from about aged 3.My son is 5 and still loves this story. It is great for encouraging discussion between adult and child about safety. I also love the message that the adult is always there when needed. The book is not too long and is brilliant as a bedtime story. It is published by Walker books. We have a hardback copy that cost £9.99. This book is widely available from many good book shops, and of course Amazon!

Summary: children's book by Martin Waddell