Two Great New Picture Books!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Join Clark the Shark as he discovers the true meaning of sharing and caring in this colorful read-aloud picture book written by Bruce Hale and illustrated by Guy Francis. In Clark the Shark Dares to Share, our favorite boisterous shark learns that sharing is caring--but sometimes the lesson is a little confusing. Clark shares his funky shark dance with the class, but Mrs. Inkydink tells him he has to wait his turn. Clark shares his reef-hockey skills, but his teammates would rather Clark share the puck. With help from his friends and with his trademark lively rhythms and rhymes, Clark learns how to share in this follow-up to Clark the Shark.
REVIEW
Clark the Shark is one of my new favorite characters. His intentions are good but he doesn't always understand what is expected of him. A lot of books that are intended to teach a less preach too much and it bogs down the story. That is not a problem with Clark the Shark. In this book, Clark the Shark is asked to share appropriately but he struggles to understand exactly what that means. With the help of his friends, teacher, and family Clark begins to understand what sharing truly means, especially when it comes from the heart. Lots of heart and humor as well as delightfully appropriate illustrations make this a book well worth sharing over and over again. Highly recommended.
ABOUT THE BOOK
This simple story works on so many levels: as the tale of a bear who finds his way home with the help of his animal friends; as a reassuring way to show children how to comfort themselves and find their way in everyday life; and on a more philosophical level, as a method of teaching readers that by listening to your heart and trusting yourself, you will always find a true home within yourself--and that even when it feels like you are alone, you never really are.
REVIEW
The minute I see the name "Kadir Nelson" I have to buy the book. I love his artwork and his books are inevitably wonderful. This one is no different. The story follows a young bear who is lost as he seeks to find his way home. He receives advice from the other animals he meets along the way, each seeking to help him in their own way. From the cougar who tells him to "remember how you got here" to the ram who tells him to sing a song, Baby Bear searches for the way home. A beautiful look at the journey that we all take through life searching for a place to call home and those we meet along the way to help guide us there. A sweet story that can be looked at from many levels of understanding with much that can be discussed and enjoyed. The illustrations are vintage Nelson from the sweet-eyed bear to the grinning salmon and the end pages which depict a night scene giving way to dawn. I think my favorite illustration though is the one with Baby Bear hugging the tree and thinking of home.
Be sure to check out other great books on the Kid Lit Blog Hop!
These both look great! I'm a big fan of Kadir Nelson so I will definitely look for "Baby Bear." The cover is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to the Kid Lit Blog Hop!
I just love that cover of Baby Bear (which also happens to be what my daughter named her teddy bear). Thanks for sharing in the Kid Lit Blog Hop!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Renee, Baby Bear is precious! Wonderful picture books. I appreciate that you shared them on the hop.
ReplyDelete