Bear's First Christmas

by Robert Kinerk

Book Overview

In the dark of winter, deep in the woods, a lone bear is awakened from his winter sleep by a soft and mysterious sound. Under the stars the bear finds his way step by step through the snowy forest, making friends along his route. Then the bear discovers a place in the woods that glows magically with something he and his friends could never have imagined -- their first Christmas. Robert Kinerk's inspired story and Jim LaMarche's glimmering illustrations...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 068986972X
• ISBN13: 9780689869723
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.18 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 9.3" x 12.3"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

wonderful story

bought this for a baby 1st christmas present. story is sweet..adventures of a new bear and pictures are beautiful and big.

Bear's First Christmas

The book is beautiful. Beautifully written and illustrated. I gave this book to each of my students and my own children. Everyone loved it! This author has written several other books that are also very good. I highly recommend them.

Pure Holiday Magic

This is my new favorite holiday book! The lyrical poetry keeps my son enthralled while gently teaching a lesson of generosity and love - without being preachy. It's truly a delight to read! Bear's good heart helps him find important things in life - a home, friends and the magical glow of Christmas. Beautiful, wispy, snow-filled illustrations; rhythmical words and the sweetest story ever. Everyone who celebrates Christmas should own this book! - even if you don't have any children in the house. It gives you a warm glow just like finding Christmas did for Bear and his friends.

LaMarche Does It Again

A young bear is awakened from his first hibernation sleep by...something. Sound? Light? Off he goes off to investigate. This is a wonderful story; of the Christmas spirit, of animals in nature, of helping and sharing, and of course of Christmas. Best of all are the luminescent illustrations by Jim LaMarche, who has illustrated many other wonderful books including A STORY FOR BEAR and THE RAFT. Each page is a delight. This book is intended for ages 4-8, but adults may have a hard time not putting it on their own bookshelf. Delightful!

A Beautiful Book

I bought this book because of the gorgeous cover art, but the story is just as precious. I actually bought it for my nephew, who will celebrate his first Christmas this year. This story is meant for 4-8 year olds. Bear begins his winter nap all alone in a cave beside a meager little tree, but is awakened. As the story progresses, Bear meets new friends, and they all end up peering into the window of cozy home, watching a family joyfully celebrate Christmas. The animals don't understand the words of the Christmas carols or the meaning of the lights on the tree, but the Christmas "glow" they've witnessed inspires them to improvise their own version of a Christmas carol as they make their way back to Bear's cave. When they reach the cave, the little tree is covered in snow and bathed in moonlight so that it has the same "glow" that the family's Christmas tree has. You can read the rest...... A truly magical story.