CM Magazine: Bear Tales: Three Treasured Stories.

________________ CM . . . . Volume VII Number 9 . . . . January 5, 2001

Bear Tales: Three Treasured Stories.

Vlasta van Kampen.
Toronto, ON: Annick Press, 2000.
40 pp., pbk. & cl., $7.95 (pbk.), $18.95 (cl.).
ISBN 1-55037-618-7 (pbk.), ISBN 1-55037-619-5 (cl.).

Subject Heading:
Bears-Folklore.

Preschool - grade 2 / Ages 4 - 7.

Review by Joan Payzant.

**** /4

excerpt:

Ivan and Igor were two very lazy bears.
AND they argued all the time, from early morning till late at night.
"Ivan, hang up your clothes," said Igor.
"Why?" asked Ivan. "I need to wear them again. You should tidy up your books," he told Igor.
"Why?" asked Igor. "I might want to read them tomorrow. Why bother?"
"Well then," replied Ivan, "we should at least sweep the floor."
"Why?" asked Igor. "Why sweep it when it gets dirty again!"
So clothes didn't get hung, books didn't get tidied and the floor didn't get swept.

These bear legends come from three different countries: "Pig Went to Market" is from the Czech Republic; "Why Bear Stole the Moon" is from North America; and "Two Lazy Bears" is Russian. Children's book illustrator Vlasta van Kampen tells the stories simply while catching the mood of each in wonderful water-colours. Children who have recently learned to read will enjoy reading these aloud to younger brothers or sisters because the print is large, the illustrations meaningful and often hilarious, and the stories, although gripping, are fairly short.

Vlasta van Kampen has illustrated over 30 books, and this one shows why she has been so successful. Although the three stories are about four different bears, each bear comes across as an individual. Other animals, a pig, raven, coyote, deer, and raccoon, who play lesser roles are equally appealing in her portrayal of them.

Highly Recommended.

Joan Payzant is a former teacher-librarian living in Dartmouth, NS.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - January 5, 2001.