Bear Is a Bear by Jonathan Stutzman

A bear can be all kinds of things to a child. A snack, a tissue, a bookworm, or a pillow just to name a few. 

Thoughts: Such a sweet book. I love how it goes through two generations. Bear Is a Bear would make a great baby shower gift or a gift for anyone who has ever loved a stuffed animal. I love that Bear is a child's toy, but he's shown as so much more through the illustrations. The illustrations are colorful and detailed. I like the mixture of styles (one page with text facing and two page spreads). The bear is especially well illustrated. I just want to cuddle him. My favorite illustrations are the cover (love that Bear is reading Little Women!) and the girl reading Little Women. Pair with Found by Salina Yoon, Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator by Mo Willems, Louis by Tom Lichtenheld, and Tea Party Rules by Ame Dyckman. 

Download a teacher's guide from the publisher's website here. The teacher's guide has discussion questions and extension activities. 

Themes: Stuffed Animals, Bears, Imagination 

(Illustrated by Dan Santat. Balzer + Bray, 2021.)