Picture Books2008

Old Bear

Name: Old Bear
Author: Kevin Henkes

Kevin Henkes

Old Bear lumbers to his cave to hibernate till spring. In his dreams, he is a cub again, exploring the seasons—summer, fall, winter, and spring. When he finally awakes, Old Bear is so happy to find the outside world waiting for him, just as beautiful as in his dreams.

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Purchases via HarperCollins · official publisher of Kevin Henkes’s books

Awards & recognition

New York Times Bestseller ALA Notable Children’s Book Horn Book Fanfare School Library Journal Best Book Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice Capitol Choices (Washington, DC) Wisconsin Library Association’s Children’s Book Award

What the critics said

praise from the pages of the reviews

“Another picture book celebration of simple, pure joy. As in so many of Henkes’s books, nothing is superfluous. Every word, line, color choice, and composition feels essential and fits beautifully into a common theme.” —Booklist (starred review)”

“Henkes has created a thoroughly delightful character filled with curiosity and sweetness and placed him in a simple tale that unfolds with a natural, rhythmical pace. . . . Old Bear will enrapture young listeners for years to come.”—School Library Journal (starred review)”