I am Bear by Ben Bailey
Published by Walker Books UK
When a child’s book is endorsed by Ricky Gervais you know it’s going to be different and out there and Bear is as cheeky as Gervais on Oscar night.
Bear seems to be furless as he wiggles his bear bare bottom in front of us in the opening pages. Then he pulls on his purple suit and Bear is ‘in da house’. He attempts to eat his friends; steal treats and paints targets on a fellow bear’s derrière. Bear is trouble.
The funky rhyme suits the cheeky bear and it works better as a song. As a story, not so much for me.
I guess when Bear is in his purple suit can be his true self, even if he is a bit of a bad boy.
I recommend enjoying it in its song form for kids over three to six.
The illustrations are bold and bright and bold and really hold your attention. I listened to the rap music version online and I enjoyed it. The author is Ben Bailey and is well known.
CKT Book Reviewer
Author: Ben Bailey
Illustrator: Sav Akyuz
Title: I am Bear
Publisher: Walker Books UK
ISBN: 9781406359251
Published: Jan 2016
Age: 3+
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