Janice (1) (1904–2000)

Little Bear and his friends—Squeaky the mouse, Owl, Squirrel and Sparrow—are enjoying their Christmas gifts in this vintage picture-book from 1973, when the subject of New Year's comes up. Normally in hibernation at this time of year, Little Bear had never experienced a New Year's party, and nor had his friends. After a few unsuccessful attempts to wrangle an invite to such a celebration, Little Bear decides to throw his own. But what will happen when more guests than are expected show up...?

Although it is the seventh and final picture-book from author Janice (Janice Brustlein) and illustrator Mariana (Marian Foster Curtiss) to chronicle the holiday celebrations of the eponymous ursine hero, Little Bear's New Year's Party is only the third title in the series that I have read, following upon Little Bear's Christmas and Little Bear's Thanksgiving. It seems to open directly after the former, despite being published a number of years later, and is characterized by the same gentle storytelling and sweet illustrations. It is a little text-heavy for a contemporary picture-book, but young listeners with a good attention span, and a fondness for animal stories, will undoubtedly find it enjoyable.… (más)

Little Bear, whose adventures began in the eponymous Little Bear's Sunday Breakfast and Little Bear's Pancake Party, returns in this third picture-book from author Janice and illustrator Mariana. When our little ursine hero wakes up in the middle of the winter and learns about Christmas for the first time, he writes to Santa asking for some. Wise in his ways, Santa determines that the best way to give Little Bear some Christmas is to have him become a Santa's helper for the night. After aiding in giving out gifts to others, Little Bear returns home to find his friends gathered for a splendid holiday party of their own...

Although it is normally my practice to read picture-book series in order of publication, I don't seem to be doing so with these books. Little Bear's Christmas is only the second that I have read, following upon the subsequent Little Bear's Thanksgiving. It is a sweet story, one that put me in mind of the more recent Waiting for Santa, which also features a bear who gets to help Santa deliver his presents. All in all, I prefer this book to that more recently published one, enjoying the gentle, heartwarming story and the cute illustrations. Little Bear looks quite happy, playing Santa! Recommended to vintage picture-book lovers in the market for holiday tales.… (más)

Little Bear is excited to receive an invitation to Thanksgiving dinner from his human friend Goldie in this sweet holiday picture-book, first published in 1967. Once his animals friends - Squirrel, Sparrow, Owl, and Squeaky the Mouse - explain what Thanksgiving is, our ursine hero is ready to go. Then he discovers that the holiday occurs in late autumn, and he is dismayed - how will he ever stay up, in order to attend? Fortunately, his friends are more than willing to help him out, ensuring that he is awake on the important day...

One of seven picture-book from author Janice and illustrator Mariana devoted to the adventures of this ursine character, Little Bear's Thanksgiving pairs a gentle narrative with cute artwork. I was already familiar with the work of illustrator Mariana (full name: Marian Foster Curtiss), having read a few of her Miss Flora McFlimsey picture-books, so I picked this up from my library's Thanksgiving display with a sense of anticipation. I found the narrative engaging, and occasionally quite amusing. The fact that a whisper of "pumpkin pie" managed to bring Little Bear awake, for instance, had me chuckling. The artwork was cute, although I think I prefer Marian's depiction of the animals, compared to that of Goldie. I don't know that I enjoyed this one quite as much as the Miss Flora McFlimsey books, but it was sweet enough that I would probably read another in the series, if I happened upon it. Perhaps Little Bear's Christmas? Recommended to anyone looking for gentle, warmhearted animal stories set at Thanksgiving.… (más)