The little bear decides to go for a walk with his magic pencil. Along the way he meets a few unhappy animals, so he decides to draw something that will come to life to make them happy. He draws a teddy bear for a gorilla, a trumpet for a crocodile, and a crown for a lion.
Browne used animals again in this story. He also focused on imagination in this story, which I feel encourages kids to use their own imagination. His illustrations are very colorful. ( )

As the eponymous little bear walks through the wood in this picture-book tribute to creative thinking, he encounters a series of fearsome creatures, each of which might potentially pose a danger to him. Using his magic pencil, he draws a series of objects that will distract or otherwise engage these animals, eventually using his writing implement to draw himself an exit, when confronted by a brick wall...

With the sort of matter-of-factly surreal story-line one would expect from Anthony Browne, creator of such picture-books as Voices in the Park and Gorilla, and appealing artwork done in watercolor and ink, The Little Bear Book makes for an entertaining read. Originally published in 1988, and then reprinted in this 2014 edition, this picture-book is strongly reminiscent of the classic Harold and His Purple Crayon, and is one I would recommend to fans of that earlier book, who are looking for similar tales. ( )

imagination; brief book; bear draws things for animals ( )

Little white bear with his pencil, just like Harold with his crayon, has quite the magical touch. ( )

A bear goes through and draws different things for each animal he encounters that he thinks will make them happy. ( )