Big Bear Hug (Life in the Wild)

"There once was a bear so filled with love and happiness that whenever he roamed the forest and came across another living thing, he would give it a hug." Yes, this was a bear that believed in spreading the love, and he'd never met a creature he didn't want to embrace, whether moose or snake. He was especially fond of the trees: big and small, apple and pear, this bear "never met a tree he didn't like." And then one day, coming upon a man about to chop down one of the oldest, tallest, and loveliest trees in the forest, the bear suddenly didn't feel like hugging anymore...

Canadian artist Nicholas Oldland's debut picture-book, Big Bear Hug reduces me to helpless giggling every time I read it. The startled (one might even say, distressed) show more expressions on the faces of the various creatures on the receiving end of the bear's big hugs are simply hysterical! The bear's enthusiasm - at one point he tries to hug a beaver and a tree at the same time - is delightful, and his solution to the problem of the would-be tree-chopper satisfying. A simple parable about loving the forest and its creatures, this little gem should appeal to any tree-hugger out there with a sense of humor! show less

This is a sweet story about a big bear who likes to give big hugs. He hugs everything - trees, rabbits, snakes, etc. He especially loves trees and is a gentle soul, so when a man comes to the forest and starts to chop down a tree, it makes him angry. He's going to bite the man to stop him from hurting his tree-friends, but then reconsiders and hugs the man, instead. The man freaks out and runs away and the bear hugs the almost-chopped-down tree.

So sweet! The bear is adorable in his various hugging incarnations - especially when he hugs a rather reluctant moose. I like the message about how his gentle nature overcomes his anger and I think it's important for kids to read and see examples of how to deal with anger. This book is a really show more positive, uplifiting, cute story. The illustrations are very simple and it would work well in a storytime. show less

This is a very funny book, with cute illustrations, and a good message. Big Bear Hug is about a bear who loves to hug. The bear hugs animals but likes hugging trees the best. One day a man comes to the forest to cut down a very beautiful tree, and the bear does not feel like hugging at all. The illustrations in this book add a lot to the story; the animals being hugged have marvelously startled expressions, the bear’s behavior is a bit unexpected. The story has an environmental message without being preachy. Big Bear Hug is delightful. Recommended Ages: 3-7.

I really like the art in this one, but on rereading, the text is just okay.

You'd think this would be a a *big* picture-book, right?  You'd be wrong.  It's actually not much bigger than a typical Leveled Reader.  Well, think about it.  The bear is a tree-hugger.  To make the book smaller is to save a fair bit of paper (and ink, and gas in the trucks that deliver the books, etc...).  Sweet book.  Apparently it's part of a series... I'll have to look for more....

Bear loves everything so much that his has to gives hugs out to everyone and everything he meets. He hugs animals instead of eating them, but his most favorite things to hug are trees. One day a man with an axe comes into the forest and starts to chop down a beautiful tree, Bear is terribly angry and starts to attack! Just in time, Bear realizes that biting the man is totally against his nature, so instead Bear gives him a big hug. The man is so startled that he drops his axe and runs away!
This is such a funny and sweet book! The look on the various animals faces when bear hugs them are priceless.

what do i love most about the moose, the bear and the beaver books by nicholas oldland? it's like the heralding of a trumpet - whichever grandchildren are within earshot when i open the book, come clambering onto my arms and shoulders to peer into the book and listen - it doesn't matter how many times i read this and it doesn't seem to matter if they are two or ten years old (although the ten-year- olds and over don't insist on my reading again immediately after I close the book!

(this review repeats itself on all of the moose, the bear, and the beaver books by oldland)