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Books About Bears!

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Books about bears

Swapna Haddow, whose new picture book with Dapo Adeola  – My Dad is a Grizzly Bear – is out this week, has picked her top five recommended books for children all about bears.

Swanpa says, ‘I have always loved bears. I love cuddly ones, fluffy ones, sleepy ones, grumpy ones, funny ones and especially ones with marmalade sandwiches under their hats. So to celebrate the publication of My Dad is a Grizzly Bear, my debut picture book illustrated by the roarsome Dapo Adeola, I’ve chosen five of my favourite funny bear books to share with you…”

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Jez Alborough
Picturebook

This one is an oldie but a goodie. This fast-paced, hilarious, rhyming text follows Eddie. who is looking for his teddy in the woods. It’s super-fun to join in with the repeated rhymes and readers will love the HUGE surprise in store for Eddie when he eventually finds what he’s looking for. This book is a timeless classic, gorgeously illustrated throughout.

Jon Klassen
Picturebook

I’m sure this book crops up on every list of favourite bear books, favourite hat books, favourite massive twist books, favourite squashed rabbit books, favourite picture books – basically all the favourites – and with good reason. Jon Klassen is the master at taking picture book noir and making it palatable and this book is no exception. It’s a mischievous and brilliant story about a bear trying to find his hat and told completely in dialogue so get ready with the voices if you are reading this one aloud.

Jory John & Benji Davies
Picturebook

Bear is utterly exhausted and is looking to get a good night’s sleep but his neighbour Duck has other ideas. This hilarious story, illustrated by Benji Davies who is the master of drawing an increasingly knackered bear, has me giggling every time I’ve returned to it. As it turns out, it also happens to be a true-to-life reimagining of my son’s toddler years where I am played by Bear and he is played by Duck.

Sophy Henn
Picturebook

I’m a huge fan of Sophy Henn’s bold illustrative work and this stunning book is one of my favourites. Pom Pom wakes up in a terrible mood and nothing seems to go right from that point on. I love a grumpy character so Pom Pom stole my heart from the moment he woke up. The entire story is a delight. It’s also an absolutely brilliant book for talking about emotions with young readers.

Michael Bond
 & Peggy Fortnum
Picturebook
The original story of Paddington, the classic bear from Darkest Peru – now a major movie star! Unabridged and illustrated in spectacular full-colour throughout, this beautiful large-sized edition of a much-loved classic will enchant established Paddington fans and a new generation of readers alike. “A bear on Paddington Station?” said Mrs Brown in amazement. “Don’t be silly – there can’t be.” Paddington Bear had travelled all the way from darkest Peru when the Brown family first met him on Paddington station. Since then their lives have never been quite the same… for ordinary things become quite extraordinary when a bear called Paddington is involved.

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