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Bear with me
An endearing picture book from two New York Times bestselling creators about a little girl who learns to cope when she is asked to leave her beloved stuffed animal at home.
A child's favorite stuffed animal is a member of the family. This little girl and her bear are no different. The two are inseparable. Bear joins the girl for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and every moment in between. So when the first day of school arrives and Bear can't come along, the little girl is worried. At first, being in school feels hard, but as the day goes on, the girl finds ways to make herself feel better. This reassuring story, which is accessible and kid-friendly, beautifully captures a child's use of coping skills to work through her separation anxiety.
From the creators of I Walk with Vanessa, the picture book that Parents magazine named the Best Book of the Year That Champions Kindness, here is a nearly wordless picture book tackling a theme that is sure to be familiar to many parents and their stuffed-animal-loving children.
A child's favorite stuffed animal is a member of the family. This little girl and her bear are no different. The two are inseparable. Bear joins the girl for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and every moment in between. So when the first day of school arrives and Bear can't come along, the little girl is worried. At first, being in school feels hard, but as the day goes on, the girl finds ways to make herself feel better. This reassuring story, which is accessible and kid-friendly, beautifully captures a child's use of coping skills to work through her separation anxiety.
From the creators of I Walk with Vanessa, the picture book that Parents magazine named the Best Book of the Year That Champions Kindness, here is a nearly wordless picture book tackling a theme that is sure to be familiar to many parents and their stuffed-animal-loving children.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published June 13, 2023
About the author
Kerascoët
57 books137 followersHusband and wife team of Marie Pommepuy and Sébastien Cosset.
The story is that they were faced with signing both their names and possibly taking up too much of the cover, so they decided to name themselves after Marie's parent's village in Brittany.
The story is that they were faced with signing both their names and possibly taking up too much of the cover, so they decided to name themselves after Marie's parent's village in Brittany.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 18, 2023
A little kid is very attached to their stuffed bear from the time they're a baby. School starting is a bit of a struggle. It's basically a wordless picture book since the only words throughout are "bear with me" as they insist on being with their bear. The plushy bear and squishy baby illustrations are adorable!
August 17, 2023
First sentence: Bear with me!
Premise/plot: Oh how I love thee, let me count the ways. This is a near wordless picture book starring a growing girl (she's an infant on the first spread and starting school towards the second half) and her beloved bear. Throughout the book, you see her growing up. This sequence is beautifully illustrated and super relatable. The conflict in this one--well, one of two conflicts, perhaps--is WHAT will she do at school without bear? (And perhaps just perhaps what will Bear do all day without her while she's at school.)
My thoughts: I don't always love wordless books, but this near-wordless picture book charmed me from page one. SO much story is expressed on each spread. SO much emotion. So many relatable experiences--from both sides. For example, the sequence where the dad has had ENOUGH and is putting his foot down, so to speak, and washing Bear in the washing machine. Those two pages express so much just through illustrations alone. But I think my favorite pages deal with the girl's attempt to take the Bear with her. Literally, "Bear with me."
I loved this one so much. It was super cute and adorable. It was very relatable.
Premise/plot: Oh how I love thee, let me count the ways. This is a near wordless picture book starring a growing girl (she's an infant on the first spread and starting school towards the second half) and her beloved bear. Throughout the book, you see her growing up. This sequence is beautifully illustrated and super relatable. The conflict in this one--well, one of two conflicts, perhaps--is WHAT will she do at school without bear? (And perhaps just perhaps what will Bear do all day without her while she's at school.)
My thoughts: I don't always love wordless books, but this near-wordless picture book charmed me from page one. SO much story is expressed on each spread. SO much emotion. So many relatable experiences--from both sides. For example, the sequence where the dad has had ENOUGH and is putting his foot down, so to speak, and washing Bear in the washing machine. Those two pages express so much just through illustrations alone. But I think my favorite pages deal with the girl's attempt to take the Bear with her. Literally, "Bear with me."
I loved this one so much. It was super cute and adorable. It was very relatable.
June 15, 2023
There is probably nothing more comforting during times of stress or anxiety than a favorite blanket or stuffed animal. This almost-wordless picture book follows the formative years of a young girl as she is accompanied each step of the way by her stuffed bear toy. But try as she might to find a way to take Bear with her on the first day of school, there just isn't room, and he must stay behind on the windowsill. But at school, she makes a new friend, dresses up as a bear, and even paints a picture of Bear. Then, as soon as she arrives home, Bear is the first thing she reaches for. The repetitive phrase in the title takes on an entirely new meaning as readers move through this picture book since it offers comfort rather than its usual sentiment. The ink and watercolor illustrations are perfect complements to the story, somehow managing to depict the personalities of the characters, including the child, her parents, and even new friend and teacher quite effectively. This one is ideal for sharing before a first day of school or even the start of a new adventure or trip.
June 22, 2023
In Bear with me, a young girl finds a way to handle her disappointment when she must leave her beloved stuffed bear at home when she attends school for the first time. Using only the words 'bear with me' scattered throughout the book, the author & illustrator tell the story of a young girl's attachment to her stuffed bear. When her father must wash it, she screams, and her father sits with her watching as bear gets his cleaning. Naturally she's thrilled when she gets bear back (bear with me). The use of the words 'bear with me' highlights the girl's desire to have the bear with her at all times. Some humor shines through when she tries to stuff the bear in her backpack for traveling to school (hint: it doesn't fit) before then stuffing the bear under her shirt, which doesn't fool her mother at all. In the end, she must leave the bear in the window at home. While at school she eventually finds a way to express her feelings while adapting to the change (she draws a picture of the bear, she dresses up in a bear play costume, etc.). Most children will be able to relate to this adorable story and the child's attachment to her bear. The ink and watercolor illustrations carry the day here with the story easy to follow and enjoy. The book is plain adorable and I loved how the girl found a way to cope with her emotions about missing her bear on her own. A great book for sharing with younger children especially with lots of space for allowing the child to tell the story in their own way.
August 11, 2023
An utterly adorable and cozy book about a well-loved stuffed animal. As a longtime stuffed animal lover myself, I heartily approve of this book. :) It follows a child from their birth to going to school and how until that time bear was always with them. School is, of course, very hard without their well-loved friend by their side but they find ways to remember them and even make a new friend. The feel of this kind of feels retro or like a classic.
I put it on my "wordless picture book" shelf because the only words, found a few times, is the phrase, "Bear with me."
Some of the pictures are fairly small, so this would probably be best for one-on-one or very small groups.
I put it on my "wordless picture book" shelf because the only words, found a few times, is the phrase, "Bear with me."
Some of the pictures are fairly small, so this would probably be best for one-on-one or very small groups.
October 13, 2023
In Kerascoet's nearly wordless picture book, we see how a new baby's stuffed teddy bear becomes a favorite choice. We see how the bear creates separation anxiety especially when the young boy heads to school. He dies find ways to keep his bear in his thoughts until they are reunited at home. Beautifully illustrated to tell the story. The line "bear with me" is scattered throughout the book making it a very accessible book for young readers.
July 17, 2023
Nearly wordless, this story about a little kid who is distraught to leave their beloved stuffy behind on the first day of school. Like Owen by Kevin Henkes but more sparse, this story is all-too-familiar for so many kids. The illustrations are lovely watercolor and line drawn which make for an eternal feeling picture book.
January 21, 2024
In this nearly wordless picture book for toddlers we learn about a little girl's relationship with a stuffed bear.
What will become of this little girl when she has to go to school without her lovey?
Illustrations make the book special. As for the simplicity of it, this is a toddler-sized love story. Mostly, though, it's a love story for warm-hearted readers of all ages.
What will become of this little girl when she has to go to school without her lovey?
Illustrations make the book special. As for the simplicity of it, this is a toddler-sized love story. Mostly, though, it's a love story for warm-hearted readers of all ages.
March 18, 2024
Though this book is mostly wordless, the illustrations take the reader through the highly relatable and highly emotional story of a child and her beloved teddy bear. But what will she do when she can't take bear with her to school? For anyone who has ever had a favorite toy or had a child with a favorite toy, you might get a little teary-eyed. You have been warned! Loved this book!
June 2, 2023
Cute lovie story, good for new students. Would pair well with Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale.
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July 31, 2023This book is really sweet and relatable. A favorite toy or stuffed animal that is kind of a security blanket but can't go to school with you. Can you still enjoy school and make new friends and realize your security blanket will always be home when you get there?
December 19, 2023
Charming almost-wordless picture book about a little girl and her beloved teddy bear. Bear is always the child until the big day when she starts school.
Told in small sweet vignettes with a reassuring ending.
Told in small sweet vignettes with a reassuring ending.
July 6, 2023
Sweet, nicely illustrated, and nearly wordless story of a child and a special teddy bear will be instantly relatable to kids (and adults who remember a favorite toy of their own childhoods).
July 28, 2023
Such a sweet sweet story. I tagged it wordless...there are a few words. The love and longing are palpable.
August 3, 2023
I LOVE THIS BOOK.
August 5, 2023
Awww, what a sweet story about a kid’s bond with their teddy bear. Great read aloud for the first week of preschool and kindergarten.
August 13, 2023
Bear stays the same with their growing child.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2023
May work before first day of preschool.
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August 15, 2023Très mignon, tout en images et en tendresse, avec seulement trois mots tout simples : Bear with me. 🐻🩷
August 20, 2023
Puh-resh-us! without being twee. A little one is going to school for the first time and wants to bring their bear. That's it. But the artwork is heartwarming and the spirit is crystalline.
October 6, 2023
mostly wordless, super effective and sweet. I went into this thinking it would be a bit much and it was just adorable.
October 10, 2023
Not a lot of words but absolutely adorable. Those of us who were lucky to be able to identify with falling in love with best friend forever bear and wanting them by your side always.
November 19, 2023
Adorable
November 28, 2023
So, so, so adorable!!! This wordless book is great to look at with preschoolers!
January 4, 2024
Utterly charming, with an almost wordless text and hand-painted ink and watercolor illustrations.
February 1, 2024
BEAR WITH ME
March 1, 2024
3.5 stars. I LOVED the illustration style.
February 3, 2024
From birth a baby had a loved teddy bear that stayed with the child all the time. The illustrations tell so much of the story, showing how much that bear was loved. Having to leave the bear at home for the first day of school was traumatic for the child, but in another way the bear was kept near. Fabulous illustrations.
May 27, 2024
A super sweet, almost wordless, book about a child & their bear.
June 25, 2024
Such a fun and beautiful book! Perfect for kids learning how to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews