ABA Pick of the Lists author Dennis Haseley pens this touching tale about the joys of reading aloud. A young bear, watching a woman read one summer day, wonders how words in a book make her laugh. As his curiosity draws him closer, she offers to read aloud for him. He listens intently while she reads book after book. O how he loves the soothing sound of her voice! But one fall day, she is gone. And how will he ever bear her absence?
Download and start listening now!
"You must read this book! It is so touching, so warm, and kind. I felt as if I were there under the trees as the woman read to me in her kind, gentle voice. You can almost smell the pine trees! The illustrations are a story by themselves! The illustrator captured the heart of the bear. I loved the way the bear looked so lovingly and respectfully at the woman as she shared her stories with him. I read this tender story to my kindergartners and they were mesmerized. At the beginning of the school year many teachers teach about friendship and caring. This book would relate to that topic and help with discussion."
— Patricia (5 out of 5 stars)
" This enchanting tale is all about friendship and the wonders of reading. A bear finds a scrap of paper with strange markings on it and fascinated takes it back to his cave. Then he sees a woman reading these rectangular things filled with the marks. A strange friendship begins to develop. He even shares the words he found with her but the woman cannot stay at the cabin forever but she leaves her books to keep bear company. The acrylic paint and colored pencil illustrations leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling for bears and for reading. Can I have a cabin and a bear so I can get through my pile of books? "
— Stephanie, 2/10/2014" Beautiful color pencil artwork, warm rich colors and textures. "
— Tim, 1/10/2014" Very sweet story; lovely illustrations in acrylics and colored pencils. "
— Beverly, 12/1/2013" With amazing illustrations Jim LaMarche had done an excellent job of conveying a love of reading. This simple and sweet story will make you want to forget about our too crazy lives and go and sit and the woods and read. Something I always recommend doing. Children 1st - 4th grade will enjoy this book and so will the adult reading it. "
— Stephanie, 11/21/2013" One of our favorite children's books "
— Meno-gal, 11/19/2013" Tender and gentle, a solitary reader share her love of books with Bear. "
— Claire, 11/18/2013" it's so great to find children's books that tell an actual story. coupled with beautiful illustrations, this well-told tale of a curious bear and a highly literate young woman is sweet and lovely. "
— makyo, 11/18/2013" I generally disapprove of books depicting people hanging out with wild animals in non-absurdist scenarios. But this one doesn't anthropomorphize the bear as I would have expected. It's a strange little story. Poignant too. "
— Sarah, 10/6/2013" This is one of my new favorite children's books. It is so wonderful. It captures how dear books are to us. "
— Carlie, 9/19/2013" I loved the message of this book and how it shows the relationship of a women and bear and there found appreciation for books. "
— Stephanie, 9/16/2013" Sweet story for anyone to share their love of reading with. The art in this book in so inviting. It's a keeper. "
— Liz, 8/23/2013" Every time I pass by this book in my library, I have to stop and read it. A very delightful and feel good story. The illustrations are beautiful. Makes me wish I was sitting under the pines reading... "
— Jan, 6/19/2013" My kid really enjoys this book. I find it a little odd, though charming. "
— Donna, 5/14/2013" Luminous, through and through! "
— Marian, 4/24/2013" I love books that have a character that loves books! This is just a sweet, sweet story and precious pictures too! "
— Meredith, 3/29/2012" Magical and wonderful! This is the sort of story that fills your heart with delight :) "
— cassie, 3/18/2012" Gorgeous and magical. The power of reading, of words, of story: the power of the sound of a dear voice telling the story. "
— GraceAnne, 3/14/2012" The story is a little improbable (what with the whole woman reading to a bear premise). Still, the illustrations are gorgeous and the story is quiet and warm. It went over surprisingly well for library storytime for grades k-2. "
— Andrea, 2/23/2012" lic: young bear who is fascinated by the mysterious marks he sees on paper finds a friend when a kind woman reads to him. sweet. soft pictures. "
— Tricia, 1/6/2012" One sunlit afternoon, ab ear discovers a mysterious fragment of paper that leads him to a cabin and to an unlikely friend. Although he can't understand her words, he returns day after day all summer to hear the woman read to him. Each night he carries the sound of her stories--of sailors. "
— Christy, 8/13/2011" Another book where the pictures truly are art. The story was charming, but slightly annoying cause its so far fetched. Either way worth a read. "
— Heather, 8/11/2011" The illustrations are beautiful and the story is cute. "
— Greta, 6/27/2011" Very sweet story about the magic of reading aloud, albeit to a bear. Inspired me to create new bookshelf, not that I really need any more. "
— elissa, 6/2/2011" quiet, gorgeous illustrations & book related! "
— Cymiki, 2/11/2011" Cute story with beautiful illustrations. The bear looks so cute I wish I could have a pet bear. "
— Amy, 12/27/2010" Cute story with beautiful illustrations. The bear looks so cute I wish I could have a pet bear. "
— Amy, 11/24/2010" I loved the message of this book and how it shows the relationship of a women and bear and there found appreciation for books. "
— Stephanie, 2/5/2010" Tender and gentle, a solitary reader share her love of books with Bear. "
— Claire, 10/4/2009" quiet, gorgeous illustrations & book related! "
— Cymiki, 6/11/2009" One of my very favorite books, for the story line and the illustrations. <br/>As the review mentions, it celebrates the joy of reading, and being read to. Both of these bring heart-warming memories of being read to as a child and then reading to my own children. Must read in my opinion. "
— Bambi, 6/5/2009" Sweet story for anyone to share their love of reading with. The art in this book in so inviting. It's a keeper. "
— Liz, 9/20/2008" Beautiful color pencil artwork, warm rich colors and textures. "
— Tim, 8/25/2008" The illustrations are beautiful and the story is cute. "
— Greta, 7/7/2008" Every time I pass by this book in my library, I have to stop and read it. A very delightful and feel good story. The illustrations are beautiful. Makes me wish I was sitting under the pines reading... "
— Jan, 6/30/2008" it's so great to find children's books that tell an actual story. coupled with beautiful illustrations, this well-told tale of a curious bear and a highly literate young woman is sweet and lovely. "
— makyo, 4/30/2008" Everytime I read this I cry. Kindergarteners don't understand why it is so touching, but having taught Second Language Learners to read, it is so emotional for me. Also, Jim LaMarche is such an incredible illustrator! "
— Amanda, 3/19/2008" It has the name Eliza in it so of course I love it. "
— Eliza, 2/11/2008" Very sweet story about the magic of reading aloud, albeit to a bear. Inspired me to create new bookshelf, not that I really need any more. "
— elissa, 2/4/2008Richard Poe, a professional actor for more than thirty years, has appeared in numerous Broadway shows, including 1776 and M. Butterfly. On television he has had recurring roles on Star Trek and Frasier. His films include Born on the Fourth of July and Presumed Innocent. Poe is a well-known and prolific audiobook performer and the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards.