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Used-Up Bear
In this poignant sequel to ""Bear at the Beach"", Bear doesn't think that Clara will love him anymore now that he's old and faded. Full color.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
48 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1998
About the author
Clay Carmichael
12 books111 followersBecause I can't always remember titles or I forget to email when people are kind enough to ask "What are you reading?"
Below are a few I've recently liked--or loved--some new, some not.
And I only review or archive books I like or love. Literature is a wildly subjective enterprise; one person's least favorite book may be a book someone else loves best of all.
"Be gentle with one another's efforts. Be kind and considerate with your criticism. Always remember that it's just as hard to write a bad book as it is to write a good book." -Malcolm Cowley
Below are a few I've recently liked--or loved--some new, some not.
And I only review or archive books I like or love. Literature is a wildly subjective enterprise; one person's least favorite book may be a book someone else loves best of all.
"Be gentle with one another's efforts. Be kind and considerate with your criticism. Always remember that it's just as hard to write a bad book as it is to write a good book." -Malcolm Cowley
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 10, 2019
Looking at himself in the mirror one day, Bear realizes that he is a little the worse for wear, with his white fur "as dingy as an old sock," frayed patches on his back, a loose eye, and a nose that has a tendency to pop right off. He's all used up, he concludes, and begins to imagine all the terrible things that will happen to him - being turned into a cleaning rag, tossed in the cellar, or sold at a thrift store - once Clara, the little girl with whom he lives, no longer wants him. Fortunately, Clara has her wits about her, and seeing which way the wind is blowing, she takes steps to help her friend regain his confidence...
Like Bear at the Beach - Clay Carmichael's first story to feature this adorable ursine hero (there is a third title as well, Lonesome Bear ) - this is a story with a strong melancholy strain to it. Any young reader who has felt neglected, or feared that their imperfections would prevent others from loving them, will identify with Bear, and thrill to the conclusion of his tale, in which those feelings of fear and hurt are proved baseless. The illustrations, done in pen-and-ink and watercolor, and utilizing simple lines and muted but appealing colors, are just as charming as in the first Bear book. All in all, Used-Up Bear is a delightful tale, one I would recommend to young readers in need of reassurance, and to fans of Clay Carmichael's artwork.
Like Bear at the Beach - Clay Carmichael's first story to feature this adorable ursine hero (there is a third title as well, Lonesome Bear ) - this is a story with a strong melancholy strain to it. Any young reader who has felt neglected, or feared that their imperfections would prevent others from loving them, will identify with Bear, and thrill to the conclusion of his tale, in which those feelings of fear and hurt are proved baseless. The illustrations, done in pen-and-ink and watercolor, and utilizing simple lines and muted but appealing colors, are just as charming as in the first Bear book. All in all, Used-Up Bear is a delightful tale, one I would recommend to young readers in need of reassurance, and to fans of Clay Carmichael's artwork.
February 15, 2011
One extra star because this is a true story, as the reader is told at the end, but one and a half stars off because I don’t like the mean spiritedness of Clara’s other stuffed animal friends.
I adored this author’s book Wild Things ] so much it made my favorites shelf, and I also loved the first bear book Bear at the Beach. I’m looking forward to reading the third book Lonesome Bear; it was supposed to be at the library today but it’s lost at the moment. I hope they’ll find it before I return on Thursday.
This book brought back memories of loving very worn out stuffed animals, and loving them all the more for being comfortably well used. Overall, it’s a wonderfully sweet and authentic seeming story of a stuffed bear who’s falling apart a bit and is afraid of being abandoned because of that. I love Clay Carmichael for making her beloved stuffed bear a bear suit. I really, really like this author!
I adored this author’s book Wild Things ] so much it made my favorites shelf, and I also loved the first bear book Bear at the Beach. I’m looking forward to reading the third book Lonesome Bear; it was supposed to be at the library today but it’s lost at the moment. I hope they’ll find it before I return on Thursday.
This book brought back memories of loving very worn out stuffed animals, and loving them all the more for being comfortably well used. Overall, it’s a wonderfully sweet and authentic seeming story of a stuffed bear who’s falling apart a bit and is afraid of being abandoned because of that. I love Clay Carmichael for making her beloved stuffed bear a bear suit. I really, really like this author!
February 22, 2011
I don't remember ever loving a stuffed animal as a child as much as Clay Carmichael loved Bear. After reading Bear at the Beach and now Used-Up Bear, that makes me just a little sad. Share this one with children who do have a beloved stuffed animal best friend and with those who don't!
July 22, 2024
à la velveteen rabbit.
December 16, 2015
This is an utterly charming children's book, and the illustrations match the mood of the text very well. I read it to my little sister and it got an emotional response out of me, which does not often happen with books written for very young children.
May 31, 2009
My 7 yr old daughter loves this book. I do too...a quiet reminder of unconditional love.
August 23, 2011
ADORE this book.
January 30, 2012
this book is about a bear who keeps on saying I will be used up soon.
May 7, 2012
Such a sweet children's book that made me want to cry - until the happy ending! I love books from the perspective of toys - who wants an old teddy bear anyway - I do!
December 11, 2018
Gently rendered illustrations help tell the story of a bear who is used-up by love and is now afraid of the future. But, the little girl who loves him has a surprise.
January 25, 2011
It was a little sad
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews