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beckyisbookish's review against another edition
4.0
I read this a long time ago to my little brother when he was a toddler and now I've shared it with my own little ones. Made me very nostalgic. I like this story a lot and love the adorable illustrations. My son likes the goblin and the mama bear. Looking forward to reading this one often.
calistareads's review against another edition
5.0
There is something so special about this book for me, I'm not sure exactly what it is. I love the art. It is so precious and it highlights the bond between grandparent and grandchild. This book took me back to my childhood with my grandparents.
The story is about the simple joys of being with your grandparents who are different than your parents. It was so lovely. I haven't read this and it now has a special place in my heart. Maurice did a great job on the art and Else has a wonderful story.
The kids both enjoyed this story too. Not like me, but even my niece read it. Good stuff.
The story is about the simple joys of being with your grandparents who are different than your parents. It was so lovely. I haven't read this and it now has a special place in my heart. Maurice did a great job on the art and Else has a wonderful story.
The kids both enjoyed this story too. Not like me, but even my niece read it. Good stuff.
absentminded_reader's review against another edition
4.0
This volume in the Little Bear series is perhaps the most dear, the most nostalgic, and the most dull. By this I mean it wasn't nearly as creative for me as the other volumes. It was full of charm, but not as clever. However, that's only comparitively. It is still an excellent book and a favorite of mine.
The first story was filled with traditional grandparent-style behavior with Grandfather Bear being the comic relief. The second story about Little Bear's mother and her bird was sweet, but a bit saccharine for me. As a child, I remember skipping over it. That may be because I found the story tedious, but it was more likely I was racing ahead to "Goblin Story", the only imaginitive & fanciful tale in the book. The last story is sure to bring a chorus of "Aww"s to most readers, as Little Bear fights sleep because he's not really tired.
Certainly, there were moments that stood out for me. The illustration skill was quite remarkable. Unlike the other books in the series, there were no lavish backgrounds and settings. There was just page after page of sumptuously rendered, Victorian outfits, as well as animated faces that made the bears more human than some people I've worked with. Grandfather doing a jig was a highlight for me as a child and an adult. Also, I still enjoy the mock look of worry on the Grandfather's face just before he begins to regale Little Bear with goblin story. The color palette was still limited to three spot colors (Brown, black & green), despite the wonderful rainbow available to printers in 1961. This limited palette, along with Sendak's gorgeous hatchwork, helped the story feel very old-fashioned. As a child, I felt these books were ancient, despite them being only a few years older than me.
Overall, Little Bear's Visit is a charming collection of tales very well suited for bedtime. It might be a bit mundane for my expectations, but I know that all my daughters enjoyed the book, so perhaps my opinion is in the minority. Besides, cynical, gruff Daddies weren't Minarik & Sendak's intended audience.
The first story was filled with traditional grandparent-style behavior with Grandfather Bear being the comic relief. The second story about Little Bear's mother and her bird was sweet, but a bit saccharine for me. As a child, I remember skipping over it. That may be because I found the story tedious, but it was more likely I was racing ahead to "Goblin Story", the only imaginitive & fanciful tale in the book. The last story is sure to bring a chorus of "Aww"s to most readers, as Little Bear fights sleep because he's not really tired.
Certainly, there were moments that stood out for me. The illustration skill was quite remarkable. Unlike the other books in the series, there were no lavish backgrounds and settings. There was just page after page of sumptuously rendered, Victorian outfits, as well as animated faces that made the bears more human than some people I've worked with. Grandfather doing a jig was a highlight for me as a child and an adult. Also, I still enjoy the mock look of worry on the Grandfather's face just before he begins to regale Little Bear with goblin story. The color palette was still limited to three spot colors (Brown, black & green), despite the wonderful rainbow available to printers in 1961. This limited palette, along with Sendak's gorgeous hatchwork, helped the story feel very old-fashioned. As a child, I felt these books were ancient, despite them being only a few years older than me.
Overall, Little Bear's Visit is a charming collection of tales very well suited for bedtime. It might be a bit mundane for my expectations, but I know that all my daughters enjoyed the book, so perhaps my opinion is in the minority. Besides, cynical, gruff Daddies weren't Minarik & Sendak's intended audience.
ketutar's review against another edition
5.0
I really like Little Bear stories :-) Short and cute and beautifully illustrated :-)
katie_king's review against another edition
4.0
One of those timeless favorites that even Mommy and Daddy don't get tired of reading to the little cubs of the family.
emkoshka's review
3.0
Another heartwarming Little Bear book, this one exploring the bond between him and his grandparents. Very sweet and evocative of the best childhood a child could have, surrounded by loving family.
luann's review
3.0
What a sweet little story about Little Bear's visit to his grandparents. I especially liked the story his grandfather told him about the goblin. I'm not sure why this book won a Caldecott Honor, though. Maybe I'm just so used to Sendak's illustrations that I don't see anything extraordinary in them. One interesting thing is that the grandparents (who are also bears) are wearing clothes, while Little Bear isn't.
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