Little Cub

Olivier Dunrea

Book - 2012

A young bear cub, who is alone in the world, and Old Bear, who is grumpy and tired of living alone, meet and discover what they have been missing.

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Location Call Number   Status
Children's Room jE/Dunrea Checked In
Subjects
Genres
Picture books
Published
New York : Philomel c2012.
Language
English
Main Author
Olivier Dunrea (-)
Physical Description
1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 25 cm
ISBN
9780399242359
Contents unavailable.
Review by Booklist Review

In this companion to Old Bear and His Cub (2010), Dunrea tells a story familiar to children's literature: a couple of lonely souls find each other. Little Cub is just a wee bear who does not like the dark nights in the forest because there is no one to take care of him. Old Bear with fantastically unruly eyebrows and tufts sprouting from his ears also doesn't like dark nights and being alone. And while Old Bear can fish, he has nobody to share his catch with, while poor Little Cub's belly is empty. When the two finally meet, Old Bear asks, Who do you belong to? and Little Cub responds, I belong to me, followed by, But maybe I can belong to you. Sweetness. The book's appropriately soothing layout features text set on white pages on the left-hand side (with large type, ideal for new readers) and simple full-page pencil-and-gouache autumnal illustrations on the right. An understated, loving vehicle for discussing how two people, two bears, or two anythings can form a perfect pair.--Kelley, Ann Copyright 2010 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

In a spare preamble to Old Bear and His Cub (2010), Dunrea reveals how Old Bear and Little Cub came to be companions. Dunrea strikes a matter-of-fact tone, subtly pointing out the similarities and differences between the bears, while studiously avoiding sentimentality. "Stop that yowling," says bearded Old Bear, his gentle curmudgeonly nature accentuated by his furrowed eyebrows, when he discovers Little Cub sleeping restlessly in a cluster of rocks. When Little Cub requests that Old Bear teach him to fish and get honey, Old Bear responds patiently yet firmly: "Yes, I will teach you how to fish. Now go to sleep." Readers will treasure the bears' gingerly give-and-take-watching them serendipitously become a family of two is a joy to behold. Ages 3-up. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 2-Little Cub and Old Bear are back in a tale that is part prequel, part adoption story, and all heart. Little Cub is sad and lonely. He has no one to take care of him, teach him how to catch fish, help him get honey, and be with him during the long dark nights. Old Bear is sad and lonely. He has no one to teach, share his food with, and keep him company during the long dark nights. One day he finds Little Cub whimpering and alone. "'Who do you belong to?' asked Old Bear./'I belong to me.But maybe I could belong to you.'" And of course Old Bear names him, takes him home, feeds him, puts him to bed, tells him a story, and the rest is history. The charming pencil and gouache illustrations capture the very essence of bears, while still rendering them sweet and appealing. The backgrounds are stark white with detailed, realistic trees, rocks, grasses, bees, and more. The patterned text, with alternating pages describing the cub's concerns, followed by the related concerns of Old Bear, works beautifully. The wording is descriptive, economical, and deceptively simple. Dunrea packs a huge amount of emotion into his limited text and engaging art. A delight for fans of these characters and a lovely next step for children ready to move beyond the "Gossie and Friends" series (Houghton Harcourt).-Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review

The endearing duo from Old Bear and His Cub (rev. 1/11) returns with the backstory of how they met. Little Cub, who appears to live under a pile of rocks, is cold and hungry. Old Bear is warm and sated and lives in a comfortable cabin in the woods. Both bears are lonely, though, and hate the dark nights. And each needs someone to care for -- and be cared by (especially Little Cub, who is unable to secure food for himself). Dunreas characteristic warm-hearted pencil and gouache illustrations bring the bears and the entire forest to life. Old Bear, with tufted eyebrows, white whiskers, and pink cheeks, seems gruff (Stop that yowling), but his tender handling of Little Cub belies his imposing appearance. Meanwhile, Little Cubs big smile shows that he recognizes a kindred spirit when he sees one. Old Bear welcomes Little Cub into his home and, no longer lonely, he warms the dark night for them both with a bedtime story -- the tale of a grumpy old bear who once lived all alone. julie roach (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review

Two lonely bears find each other and form a deep bond. Little Cub and Old Bear live in the same deep forest, but neither knows the other exists. White-bearded Old Bear survives on skills learned over a lifetime; he is well-fed and warm, but he hates his solitary existence. Little Cub is barely surviving; he is hungry and cold, and his fears threaten to overwhelm him. Their first meeting results in an instant connection. Old Bear takes Little Cub home, tucks him in bed and tells him a story that promises a life together that will alleviate hunger and fear and loneliness. The tale alternates page by page between the two bears, matching morning, afternoon and evening activities and emphasizing their emotional parallels. When they come together, the earlier concerns are repeated, addressed and resolved. Large-print text is centered on a solid white page and is set in the charmingly named Zapf Humanist typeface. On facing pages, illustrations are rendered in pencil and gouache in shades of browns, oranges and greens that softly wash into white backgrounds. The forest is beautiful, and the bears' physical and emotional place in it is carefully indicated through perspective and body language. The universal need for love and companionship is conveyed sweetly and poignantly. Comforting and uplifting. (Picture book. 3-8)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.