The Bear Who Wasn't There

This story starring a missing bear had wide appeal among my kids. The humor was simple and straightforward enough that my 5 year old was laughing out loud. The clever way the characters are talking directly to the reader and the author even made an appearance was amusing even for my 11 year old. (Not to mention the brief and harmless potty humor that had my 9 year old practically rolling on the floor.)

The Bear Who Wasn’t There Details

Title: The Bear Who Wasn’t There
Author/Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
Publication Year: 2016
Age Group: Preschool, Kindergarten, Early Elementary
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Comments

This is such a sweet and clever story. My kids always enjoy it when a picture book lets them feel like they are part of an inside joke. This entire book feels as if it is a picture book gone wrong. The bear is supposed to be the star of the book, but the bear just, well, isn’t there. Instead, a duck tries to steal the spotlight as all the other animals (and even the author) try to locate the missing bear. The dialogue bubbles intermixed with the story text is engaging. My kids enjoyed the way the characters talk to each other from one page to the next as they fold down the corners. My kids’ favorite part is when a mouse plays a prank on the audience and tricks us into walking in on a giraffe trying to go potty.

This book would also be a good way to introduce kids to the idea of a fourth wall and how sometimes the fourth wall can be broken for humor’s sake. This entire story is one big example of the fourth wall being missing. We, the audience, are a part of the story and my kids loved going along for the ride! (P.S. Don’t forget to pay attention to the back cover and the book flaps for some bonus giggles.)

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