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Bear at the Beach
""Bear lives with his human friend Clara, who loves him. More than anything though, he wants a father. . . . (So) Bear sets off on a quest to find one. . . . Adults will enjoy sharing their feelings of love with a child as they read, and independent readers will also relate to this engaging little bear"".--""School Library Journal"" Full color.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
48 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1996
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 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 27, 2011
Wow! I was afraid to read this because I loved the author’s (author & illustrator!) children’s novel Wild Things so much I put it on my favorites shelf, and I figured nothing else created by her could compare.
While I didn’t fall in love with this book to the extent I did with that one, I am incredibly impressed. I have this book on my picture books shelf, and it is an advanced picture book, and it’s perfect either for early readers or read aloud.
Bear goes on a search for his heart’s desire, and finds it in a place he doesn’t expect. Bear and Clara are very appealing characters as are others that Bear meets. There’s a special quality to this story. Spare. Lovely. It’s gentle and brutal, and deep, in terms of emotional punch. There’s both a melancholy and comforting atmosphere throughout.
The pictures are lovely; they’re very appealing. Simple lines, beautiful pastel colors, and oh so poignant, and fitting the story perfectly.
I love that the author explains at the end what motivated her to write this book, and how she mentioned her lifelong friend (stuffed) bear, and that she dedicated the book to Bear, which I find so touching.
This is a sweet story, and a sort of philosophy book for kids (and any reader) and I found the ending completely satisfying, and I think it will resonate with young readers and listeners. I would have also loved this when I was a kid.
4 ½ stars
While I didn’t fall in love with this book to the extent I did with that one, I am incredibly impressed. I have this book on my picture books shelf, and it is an advanced picture book, and it’s perfect either for early readers or read aloud.
Bear goes on a search for his heart’s desire, and finds it in a place he doesn’t expect. Bear and Clara are very appealing characters as are others that Bear meets. There’s a special quality to this story. Spare. Lovely. It’s gentle and brutal, and deep, in terms of emotional punch. There’s both a melancholy and comforting atmosphere throughout.
The pictures are lovely; they’re very appealing. Simple lines, beautiful pastel colors, and oh so poignant, and fitting the story perfectly.
I love that the author explains at the end what motivated her to write this book, and how she mentioned her lifelong friend (stuffed) bear, and that she dedicated the book to Bear, which I find so touching.
This is a sweet story, and a sort of philosophy book for kids (and any reader) and I found the ending completely satisfying, and I think it will resonate with young readers and listeners. I would have also loved this when I was a kid.
4 ½ stars
June 10, 2019
Bear goes looking for the father he has never known in this gentle little book, the first of three stories - followed by
Used-Up Bear
and
Lonesome Bear
- devoted to his adventures. Although he has a home by the sea with Clara, who shares her sandy days and warm, cuddly nights with him, Bear still dreams of having a father. "And soon his dream became a longing. And then his longing became an empty place inside him he thought only a father could fill." And so he set out one day to find that father, questioning all he encountered along the way, from the sea to the fish, ducks to boys, eventually discovering (as the reader realizes all along) that what he is seeking has been with him all the time.
Clay Carmichael's simple text is combined to great effect with her equally (and deceptively) simple illustrations, with their clean black lines, and muted watercolor tones, creating an early reader that is sweet, soothing, a little melancholy, and a pure pleasure to peruse. Having greatly enjoyed Ms. Carmichael's debut middle-grade novel, Wild Things , I went in search of her other work, and I am not sorry I did! I recognized and appreciated the style of artwork here immediately, as will any reader who enjoyed the depiction of Mr. C'Mere in Wild Things , and I enjoyed the tale. I will definitely be looking for the sequels!
Clay Carmichael's simple text is combined to great effect with her equally (and deceptively) simple illustrations, with their clean black lines, and muted watercolor tones, creating an early reader that is sweet, soothing, a little melancholy, and a pure pleasure to peruse. Having greatly enjoyed Ms. Carmichael's debut middle-grade novel, Wild Things , I went in search of her other work, and I am not sorry I did! I recognized and appreciated the style of artwork here immediately, as will any reader who enjoyed the depiction of Mr. C'Mere in Wild Things , and I enjoyed the tale. I will definitely be looking for the sequels!
February 22, 2011
This is a simple, sweet story that is also surprisingly profound. Bear longs for his father - someone who will keep his secrets, hold him in the night, love him as he is, teach and explain things to him, and be his best friend. Don't we all long for someone like that! A beautiful story to read aloud. The simple pen-and-ink with watercolor illustrations complement the story perfectly.
A favorite quote:
"Some of us make our homes where we find them," said the hermit, tapping his borrowed shell. "What matters is that you are safe and cared for and loved."
A favorite quote:
"Some of us make our homes where we find them," said the hermit, tapping his borrowed shell. "What matters is that you are safe and cared for and loved."
July 21, 2024
a pure beach day book. blue crabs, sand castles, and ursa major feature.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews