Walker A Friend For Little Bear

Little Bear lives all alone on a desert island. He wishes he had something to play with. Then a stick comes floating by, followed by a bottle and then a wooden horse. Little Bear and wooden horse play together and have a wonderful time. But problems arise as more and more things come floating by. Editorial Reviews From Publishers Weekly A bored teddy bear living on a desert island starts collecting flotsam, and is delighted when a playmate, in the form of a wooden horse, drifts by. But Little Bear remains obsessed with floating bounty, and pulls ashore enough items to crowd his little island: "I don't know what these items are... but I need them, all the same." While he is fixated on a new possession, Little Bear almost loses Wooden Horse in a freak accident, and remorsefully learns the value of friendship. Due to the generic characters and contrived story line, the tale's moral is all too transparent. The quaint watercolors are a cut above the tale: first-time author/artist Horse creates a limpid, reflective sea and ethereal open sky, forming an exquisite backdrop for the toy characters, whose simple hinged bodies are as animated as their faces are expressionless. The refreshing pictures breathe life into an uninspired story. Ages 5-7. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From School Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 2?A simple, charming story complemented by equally charming watercolor illustrations. Stranded on a faraway island, lonely Little Bear tries to find happiness by collecting all kinds of "stuff" that drifts by him. First he finds a wooden horse, then a bottle, a clock, and a guitar-until the island becomes so crowded that the wooden horse falls back into the water. No matter how many treasures he collects, not a single one brings contentment or happiness. Little Bear finally realizes, "I need my friend. I don't need that cup." When the wooden horse floats by once more, Little Bear rejoices. This is an effective springboard for discussions on friendship, values, materialism, loneliness, and happiness, and a story about love that's not to be missed.?Patricia Mahoney Brown, Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, Kenmore, NY Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.