Little Bear's Big House by Benjamin Chaud

Little Bear's Big House Reviews

• 
  Hilary

  4.5 stars. This is wonderful! If my children were small I would buy a copy. The illustrations are beautiful, gorgeous colours and the pages are packed with things happening. This reminded me of Richard Scarry, lots of animals and humour, and a wonderful cross section of a house, I loved looking into the rooms. The story perhaps could have been more complex or engaging, but that really didn't matter, I was just happy pouring over the intricate illustrations. I will be passing this on to my 13 yr old before it goes back to the library, illustrations this good will appeal to any age.
• 
  Kaethe

  The idea of reversing Goldilocks was cool, but mostly I disliked that whiney -ass Little Bear. The only part I really enjoyed was the dressing up.
  
  Library copy
• 
  Alex Baugh

  This is the fourth Little Bear tale and it is every bit as good as the first three. Little Bear is tired of hanging around the forest and decides to be a little boy and go in search of an adventure. Leaving the forest and all his forest friends behind, Little Bear discovers a very large red house with an open door just waiting for a little boy/bear to explore and have an adventure. Which he does, and as night falls, Little Bear, dressed in polka dot PJ's, crawls into a comfy bed, but not for long after hearing some scary noises. Convinced that there are monsters in the house, and after seeing the monster's shadow, Little Bear wishes he were back with his family. Of course, the reader immediately recognizes the shadow as Little Bear's family. The story ends on an ironic note which even younger readers will get. This is an oversized book, with text running across the bottom of each page, leaving a virtual forest and house playground for kids to explore, and they will if they are like my young readers, who will pull out this book just to go over the all the different things they find in the pictures and talk about them. This is a funny, imaginative book about growing up, independence and the importance of family.
• 
  Rebecca Crunden

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• 
  KC

  2.75 stars. Little Bear wants an adventure and no one seems to be having one so off he goes to find one. He stumbles upon a house in the woods and he thinks all is well until the owners come home. A lot is going on on each page (like an Eye Spy feel) so maybe for older picture book readers. Some funny parts.
• 
  Abigail

  The Bear family returns in this fourth seek-and-find picture-book devoted to their adventures, following upon
  The Bear's Song,
  The Bear's Sea Escape and
  The Bear's Surprise. Bored and sulky, and tired of having all the attention focused on Teeny Tiny Bear, Little Bear sets off on his own, looking for a big adventure. He finds what he is looking for when he discovers an empty old mansion in a clearing of his woodland home, and has fun exploring. Then the mansion is invaded by monsters! What's a little bear to do? If only his family were nearby...
  
  Originally published in France as Pompon ours dans les bois, this delightful title from author/illustrator Benjamin Chaud is a worthy follow-up to its predecessors, offering an engaging and humorous tale, as well as an engrossing seek-and-find experience, as readers search for Little Bear on the (very) tall pages. The artwork itself is quite appealing, with adorable stylized animal figures, and beautifully realized background scenes. The two-page spread showing the interior view of the mansion was a particular pleasure, as I enjoy that style of cross-section illustration. The conclusion of the tale, in which Little Bear and Teeny Tiny Bear each tell the other of their experiences, will have readers and listeners ending the tale with a chuckle. Recommended to readers who enjoyed other books about Little Bear and his family, as well as to those looking for engaging seek-and-find stories.
• 
  Patricia Sampson

  Giving this book four stars purely for the fantastic illustrations. Reminded me a lot of Richard Scarry’s style with tons going on and loads to discover. The story itself was cute but not nearly as good as the artwork.
• 
  Elaine Skinner

  My 4 yr old daughter loved this! The story is cute and funny and there were so many things for her to see on every page.
• 
  Anthony

  Little Bear decides to seek adventure with the attitude of doing like little human boys do. He walks through the forest ignoring the pleas of his animal friends to join in their fun. Little Bear comes upon a big empty house, with the front door wide open, and Little Bear's biggest adventure begins.
• 
  Michelle (FabBookReviews)

  
  
  Prolific
  and acclaimed author and illustrator Benjamin Chaud's Little Bear's Big House tells the tale of a young bear who decides that he is "tired of forest life" and decides to go on "big adventures" on his own. As his Papa Bear reminds him not to go too far, Little Bear "huffs and stomps. Stomp, stomp, stomp!" turning down other forest animals' invites to play with them as he ventures farther and farther away from his family. Little Bear is ecstatic when he discovers "the most beautiful house he has ever seen"- a glorious, multi-storied red house- and like Goldilocks, finds that the house (and unlocked front door) beckons him to explore and have fun. Only...when night falls, sounds and noises become scary, and imaginings of horrible monsters wanting to eat a little cub take over...so much so that Little Bear decides to RUN! Absolutely delightful for perusing, for reading, for poring over- there is so much to feast over!- and filled with gentle zaniness that I always adore in books. If you have previously read and enjoyed Chaud's books featuring Papa Bear and Little Bear (e.g.
  The Bear's Song), then you will likely enjoy this terrifically told and visually entertaining tale that offers multiple visual stories and gags happening at once. Similarly, if you enjoy books heavy on delicious detail, along the lines of Steve Light's Have You Seen My Dragon?, or funny, unexpected reads like Brief Thief by Michaël Escoffier and Kris Di Giacomo, Andrea Tsurumi's Accident! or the work of Emily Gravett, you might especially delight in Little Bear's Big House. Note: This title is a
  continuation of the series of the Bear books, though it absolutely works as a standalone!
  
  I received a copy of this title courtesy of Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.
  
• 
  Barbara

  Not only is the story told here interesting with its resemblance to the classic Goldilocks and the Three Bears tale, but the illustrations are fascinating to examine. There's so much detail and so much to see, whether the setting shifts from the great forest where Little Bear and his family live or to the interior of the large house that he explores. I found myself having to go back and look more carefully at each page after I finished reading the book because there was so much to notice. Little Bear has become bored with living a quiet life in the woods, and he sets off to have an adventure, just like any other little boy would. His animal friends try to distract him and enlist him for their activities, but he isn't interested. Single-mindedly, he has his heart set on adventures, never realizing that there are plenty right there under his nose. After stumbling onto a red house with several rooms, he goes inside and explores every room, finally settling down for a nap. But he becomes frightened by a noise downstairs and begins to imagine all sorts of monsters that are after him. When Little Bear and the monster come face to face, it's hard to tell which one is most surprised. Readers will chortle as they watch Little Bear head one way and the "monster" head another one. I'm sure many youngsters will be able to relate to his fears and his reaction as well as his relief at being safe and sound back home once again.
• 
  Nancy

  Masterful. Every page a delight.
  I love how scared I was when I first read the BANG! But it's built to be read slowly -- and enjoyed through multiple reads. It stays this side of genius because I don't quite feel an emotional connection with anyone (not sure why).
  
  (OMG the bunny high on mushrooms!)
• 
  Sandy Brehl

  This oversized book will have librarians and booksellers groaning about how to shelve or display it, but will have little ones hugging it close and sprawling out to examine details. That size is ideal for the contrast between Little Bear and that Big House, not mention the big woods. The humor and clever enticement of detail will keep this book in frequent read-it-again rotation.
• 
  Bonnie Thrasher

  This picture book is so much fun because it is oversized. It is of normal width, but is about 18 inches tall. So it just screams to be explored. The premise is a little bear gets bored, roams too far, gets scared, and finally makes it home. The pages are chock full of his adventures. For some, this will be captivating. However, for me, this format was too busy.
• 
  Becca

  Extra. extra tall in size, the illustrations pair nicely with the sweet story of a bored little bear who goes on an adventure. Half the fun is in the detailed art work. Perfect for those who enjoy sitting and examining pictures and taking in every detail.
• 
  Lynn A. Davidson

  This story is in a tall book for the tall house the little bear finds. He wants to be brave and have adventures like a boy, so when he finds the house he has a fun time, until. ... a monster shows up! Funny story, and great illustrations.
• 
  Little Heirloom Books

  This oversized book rocks! The illustrations are so detailed and charming. The story itself is a fun take on Goldilocks and the Three Bears without being a retelling. Speaking of Goldilocks, look out for her on one of the pages. You will enjoy this book just as much as your kids do!
• 
  Kacey

  With young children’s literature, the artwork is just as important as the words. My boys LOVE the artwork by Chaud. They sit and stare at the pages and are drawn into the story bc they can so easily imagine being there with Little Bear.
• 
  Tina Hoggatt

  Goldilocks inside out. The charm of Chaud's illustrations, with so many wonderful things to find in each illustration is equaled by the truth of the young child's mentality, in this case a young bear. Hijinks, thrills, chills and love combine to make for a book that will be reread many times.
• 
  Mary Lee

  Almost a Goldilocks story. Interesting contrasting POVs.
• 
  Robin

  Ages 3-6.
• 
  Ms.Gaye

  A funny and adventurous tale. The large format and detailed images give children plenty to discover. Ages 4-7
• 
  Kelly

  There's a lot going on in most of the illustrations, which can get a bit daunting. But if you take your time to look at the pictures, it is kind of fun to discover things. The story is very cute.
• 
  Linda Atkinson

  What an adventure!
• 
  Trish

  This is about a little bear who wants to act like a little boy and have adventures.
• 
  Emily✨

  Funny story, with really detailed illustrations.
• 
  Sherry

  Love the unusual size of this book, the humor, & the pictures that invite you to look closely.
• 
  Suebee

  The illustrations were much better than the afterthought, stilted text. Some pages reminded me of a “Where’s Waldo” book and the details are fun to pore over with your little one.