You and Me, Little Bear by Martin Waddell, Barbara Firth (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

Little Bear wants to play, but Big Bear needs to gather wood, fetch water, and tidy the Bear Cave. So LIttle Bear patiently plays all his bear games by himself. But when Big Bear takes a break, instead of playing with Little Bear, he falls asleep! What will Little Bear do now? With fond understanding, Martin Waddell and Barbara Firth create another classic tale that rings with familiar feelings for children as it offers parents a gentle reminder to make time to play.

Publishers Weekly

They're ba-ack! The most bewitching bruins to hit the printed page since Paddington and Pooh now return for a third engagement, and it's just as winsome as their previous outings (Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?; Let's Go Home, Little Bear). A warm tale of togetherness, the story quickly strikes a theme familiar to any preschooler: "Little Bear wanted to play, but Big Bear had things to do." The cave needs cleaning, the wood needs fetching and, before long, Big Bear needs a nap. Not Little Bearhe's full of energy and, after exhausting the solo possibilities (such as "bear-stand-on-his-head" and "bear-run-around-by-himself"), he finally coaxes Big Bear to play with him. Waddell's finely honed text demonstrates the virtues of simplicity, and Firth's expressive watercolors splendidly amplify the story. Clothed in the colors of an autumn forest, the pages brim with emotion: through the tilt of a furry head or the incline of a paw, Firth conveys all the tenderness of the parent/child relationship. Author and artist are a match made in picture book heaven. Ages 3-6. (Aug.)

Children's Literature

Big Bear needs to work but Little Bear wants to play. What to do? Play, of course, but only after the work is done. Big Bear and Little Bear work together to finish the tasks at hand; then it's time to play. This charming story is a cuddle up with your child read aloud book perfect for bedtime. The simple and occasionally repetitive text will allow beginning readers to join along in the reading. Firth's beautifully soft, autumn illustrations add to the charm and allure of You and Me, Little Bear.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-Little Bear wants to play, but there is much work to be done. After gathering wood for the fire, getting water from the stream, cleaning up the cave, etc., Big Bear takes a well-deserved rest. Tired of playing by himself, Little Bear comes to talk to him and finds him asleep. The energetic youngster wakes the weary adult and coaxes him into a round of bear games. This sweetly realistic story captures an unremarkable yet typical day in a preschooler's life. Muted watercolors and pencil drawings depict forest life and convey the gentle, loving feelings the bears have for one another through mildly expressive features. As with Waddell's Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? (1992) and Let's Go Home, Little Bear (1993, both Candlewick), this title successfully interprets a well-recognized and universal theme.-Rita Soltan, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI

Kirkus Reviews

Waddell and Firth (Let's Go Home, Little Bear, 1993, etc.) have come up with another winning foray into the lives of the lovable Big Bear and Little Bear. This time the focus is on a day when Little Bear wants to play, but Big Bear has a long list of chores. Active Little Bear helps a bit, then plays all the solo games he can think of while Big Bear finishes the work. That accomplished, Big Bear comes out to sit on his rock, close his eyes and think, cogitating his way into sleep. When Little Bear awakens him, however, Big Bear finds the energy to play hide-and-seek and bear games until sundown, when Little Bear has had enough. He is ready for home and supper, where he seasons his meal with happy memories of the two of them "just playing . . . together." The bears, once again the quintessence of charm, remain the smiling teddy bears so many readers have scooped up with open arms; the day may gently remind parents to make time to play, a message sufficiently softened, to be heard with the heart.

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