By After watching Sergio Ruzzier’s 12×12 webinar replay in December, I borrowed all the books I could find that he illustrated/wrote from my library system. Not only to familiarize myself with his work, but to continue my quest in learning how to write a great picture book. (Which kind of goes along with Reading for Research Month, coming up in March.) On my trip through Ruzzier land, I discovered what will be one of my all-time favorites, BEAR AND BEE. And since Spring is on it’s way and knowing that bears and bees will soon be waking up from their long winter’s nap, what better time to review this delightful book for Perfect Picture Book Friday.
TITLE: Bear and Bee
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Sergio Ruzzier
PUBLISHER: Disney Hyperion Books, New York ©2013
GENRE: Picture Book, Fiction, Read Aloud
INTENDED AUDIENCE: 3 – 5 years
THEME: (credits page) 1. Bears – Fiction 2. Bees – Fiction 3. Sharing – Fiction 4. Prejudices – Fiction
OPENING PAGE: “I’m hungry,” says Bear.
SUMMARY: (credits page) A hungry bear discovers that bees are not terrible monsters who never share their honey.
WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: I don’t like it! I LOVE it! I have been reading this book over and over and over and…well, you get the idea. (Everyone that stepped foot into my house last weekend endured story time.) I digress. My favorite part is in the middle ~ but I don’t want to spoil it for you, so that’s all I’ll say on that point. End papers effectively set the mood and draw the reader into the story and on to an oh-so-sweet ending. Illustrations are delightfully expressive. Sparse text characterizes Bear and Bee with just enough emotion to add richness while reading. And when Bear discovers his misconceptions, readers/listeners receive the added pleasure of a good belly – laugh. All this while learning, gently, to be careful of judging others by your own perception of reality.
This is one that I find highly re-readable. I’ve read it at least four times a day over the past four days and laughed every time!
ACTIVITIES/RESOURCES: I can see this as a great catalyst for a study on bears and bees. Coloring pages for little ones, a visit to a bee farm, tasting honey, learning about bee keeping would all be fabulous activities, too.
You can find more Perfect Picture Book Friday reviews on Susanna Hill‘s blog. In fact, you can even join the fun!
