Today’s installment of my Top 10 Picture Books is a picture-book lover’s dream. Bear Has a Story to Tell, By Philip C. Stead and Erin E. Stead (Roaring Brook Press, 2012) has the biggest, cuddliest-looking bear I have ever seen as the main character. But Bear has a problem; he’s getting very sleepy and wants to tell a story, but all his forest friends are busy getting ready for winter. He helps Mouse gather seeds, tests the wind for Duck, looks for a warm place for Frog to sleep and checks on Mole before settling down for his own winter rest. When he wakes up, he still has not told his story, but this time his friends help him!
This award-winning, beautifully-illustrated book is everything I love about a picture book. It’s simple story telling at its best, where each perfectly-chosen word moves the story along and brings readers into the forest, ready to hear Bear’s story along with his other friends. The characterization of Bear and all his animal friends, both in picture and text is completely natural and endearing. Children will love Bear’s thoughtful face and eyes, his big fluffy paws and his heart of gold as he helps each friend in just-right ways. Bear Has a Story to Tell is a must for every picture-book lover’s (and bear lover’s) bookshelf!