A Story for Bear

A Story for Bear is one of the most beautiful children's books ever. It is a story that is just as moving and as meaningful to adults as it would be to a child, especially the last few pages, that are both bittersweet and gently touching. The artwork is superb, and the narrative unfolds in an effortless manner that allows adults to reflect upon it with the same kind of wonder that a five-year-old would. The tale involves a bear that comes across a piece of writing in the woods one day. Intrigued by the magic of these words on the paper he comes across a woman reading novels outside of her cabin, and so an unlikely friendship and bond is forged with her as she reads to him. The metaphor of the "parent" reading to the "child" is magical, but the story's ending, and what that connection of sharing thoughts and feelings through reading means to people, is as thoughtful a definition of love as you are likely to find in a children's book. Very few picture books can equal this one.

Mothers will know about the lure of their voices for their young, long before the child can ever understand a word of what they are saying. And even when they begin to read stories to their children who have some knowledge of words, mothers know that it is the rhythm, cadence, pitch and expression that they give to the word which rivets the child's attention. I have two granddaughters that I read to and we gather our 4 small dogs on our laps to listen, too. So I was really charmed by this story about a woman to reads to a bear, and the bears pleasure in listening. This book is filled with pictures on every page and is a great read aloud book.

The Mono Lake Committee store in Lee Vining is where I first discovered this beautiful story, The Story for Bear. I wish I could pass this book on to everyone I know. I love books and sharing them and then passing them on has much significance and impact for me and for the many others who do the same. The bear senses something in his forest and each step he takes draws him closer to the wonder in the encounter, in the gentle voice that draws him in. One doesn't have to understand the words or even their meaning to know something magical is happening. There are lots of magical moments in this story and reading it to my grandson and then to myself reminds me that between the covers live imagination, wonder and hope. All my life books and story-telling have held that power for me and this book reaffirms that, over and over. I'm thinking of starting to read aloud, like the kind visitor to the bear's home in the woods. Cherish what you have and share and pass it on, wherever you are.  A Story for Bear

Lovely, touching story about the relationship between a woman and a bear.

This book is so wonderful. I read it to my son and have bought it for so many friends to read to their children.

Love this book! Have read it to my pre-K students for years. Just got it for my 2 yr. old nephew. Also got him astuffed, similar- looking bear to go with it. I know he's going to love it!!

Beautiful story. At first I wasn't sure about it but it definitely grew on me. I agree with the other reviewer who mentioned the letter in the beginning and end of the story being unnecessary, it threw the flow off a bit. Regardless, I loved this book and plan to read it every Autumn.

I was very pleased.