My Little Bookcase is celebrating the birthday of talented and accomplished author and illustrator, Eric Carle. The very dedicated Angela Hall, who set up Bug in a Book to share her love and passion for children’s books, shares her favourite Eric Carle Book.
Eric Carle completed the artwork for Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? over a weekend, and he admits it was “kind of (his) first important book”. We believe this book belongs on every child’s little bookcase.
Brown bear, brown bear,
What do you see?
I see a red bird looking at me.
When you think of a classic children’s picture book, more often than not Eric Carle comes to mind. Even if you are not familiar with the name Eric Carle you probably still know The Very Hungry Caterpillar or Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? I can still remember reading these books as a child and I share them with my own child today. Thank you Jackie of My Little Bookcase for inviting me to be a part of the Eric Carle birthday feature, it brings back memories and joys that I love sharing with my daughter.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see? is beautiful in its simplicity. It draws in the little listeners with its wonderful repetitive, sing-song verse. The story is so easy to follow that a child who is not yet able to read the words, can still pick up the book and ‘read’ the story with just a basic recollection of how the story goes. Turn the page, see the animal character, and instantly know how the next line is read, pure joy to little independent want-to-be readers.
Another wonderful thing about Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is the delightfully basic illustrations. Bold colours and shapes complement the story with their simplicity. I’d like to think they would be an inspiration to the readers who may be inclined to try their hand at drawing or painting the characters after they have enjoyed the book.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see? needs no book and often turns into a game at our house. How many storybooks can you say that about? Aside from Going on a Bear Hunt nothing springs to mind. We will go through the bath toys or farm animals chanting “Yellow horse, yellow horse, what do you see?” or whatever the case may be. Great fun!
Include Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see? in your little bookcase and share an undeniable favourite with the newest generation. It is the perfect mix of verse, animals, and fun.
