Warm Clothes for Bear

"A bear learns a valuable lesson: remember yourself when sharing. Bear goes out on a snowy day and heeds Mom’s advice to bundle up in warm clothing. He joins in fun activities with various animal friends, for which he’s prepared, clothingwise—but they’re not. Generous pal that he is, Bear doffs his toasty duds, one by one, and shares them with his friends so they’ll feel comfortable. It doesn’t take long before Bear’s comrades are attired in sweater, earmuffs, scarf, mittens, etc., but he’s not, and he feels chilled. Bear returns home, where Mom encourages her sniffly son to snuggle under the bedcovers, gently praising him for being a good friend. Before long, the gang shows up with gifts, including edibles and some cold-weather gear, to help Bear feel better and expressing gratitude for his generosity. Then everyone troops outdoors, this time all properly attired. This gentle import from Belgium and the Netherlands is translated from Dutch and offers a warm message indeed. Narrated in first-person, present tense, it’s a twist on the sharing-caring trope. While there are many books on this theme, few convey the idea that sharing doesn’t necessarily entail completely ignoring one’s own needs. The colorful, appealing illustrations are sweet, lively, and full of snowy white space, and they reflect the friends’ camaraderie and good cheer. A good-natured reminder not to forget oneself when being kind to others. (Picture book. 3-6)" - Kirkus Reviews "This is a cute, simple story about a little bear who shares what he has, in the vein of The Rainbow Fish. A major improvement, however, is the friends recognizing what the little bear has given, and giving back in return. Simple, colorful illustrations are an excellent addition to the text." - Alma Public Library "This story is about a young bear who goes outside to play in the snow with his friends but finds they all need something from him. This story has beautiful illustrations and I enjoyed the concept of giving others what they lack. This story also has great examples of dialogue for younger readers to model after. I could see myself having this book in my own classroom library collection." - Pleasanton ISD "I loved this story! Bear is a very generous and caring friend and ensures that all his friends are taken care of but forgets to take care of himself. We then get to see Bear’s friends repay his kindness and take care of him. Such a simple story but one filled with caring and sharing. I also loved the illustrations; the animals were faces were so animated." - Shauna Morrison (bookseller)