Bear in the Air by Susan Meyers

Bear in the Air Reviews

• 
  Heidi-Marie

  I'm back and forth on this book. The pictures are enjoyable to look at--such expression and a bit of run-on humor, too. The story is gentle (even with its adventures) and has a happy resolved ending. But I am the child who was deathly afraid of losing her toys. And honestly, what do I mean "was?" My heart still cries and wonders over what happened to the original Fluffy and Chocolate--and I still miss them. Stories like these want to send me into the panic I would feel over the fear of losing my toys. Because in my real world, those toys never came back.
  
  So, while it is such a nice, easy read, the deep-down fear of losing toys has me hesitate to recommend this to a child who may harbor the same fear.
• 
  Stacy

  This was a cute book about the adventures of almost teddy bear. I thought the rhyming was great.
• 
  Rykki

  My kids love this story. The pictures are beautiful. The journey of the bear is fun to read.
• 
  Maeve

  A child loses their teddy bear...while the child goes home with their mother, the bear goes on a journey, over land, under water, and high in the sky...until they are reunited!
  
  A cumulative tale (similar to This is the House that Jack Built) with beautiful illustrations.
  
  Storytime:
  Toys & Stuffed Animals
• 
  Deb in UT

  Sweet book.
• 
  Michelle

  A bit long for very young readers
• 
  Brittany

  This is such a cute book. Loved the little adventure the bear went on.
• 
  Sarah

  This is a relatively simple book, but with a lot of adventure and a happy ending. There are not too many words, and the illustrations are lovely as well. Really, an all-around good book.
• 
  Gina

  The rhyme scheme follow the pattern of "This is the house that Jack built", so rhythm can be established easily and the pictures are really cute.
• 
  Melissa

  That bear probably needs a loooong soak in the washing machine before giving it back to the baby. Just saying.
• 
  Lesley Dahlseng

  This book takes us on a journey of a lost toy when a little stuffed bear bounces from a stroller. This is quite devastating for the toddler to whom it belonged. Though his mother's search for the bear is unsuccessful, a passing dog manages to find the bear and this is where the adventure begins! From sandy shore to ocean deep, then to a front-beak seat high in the air, the bear's travels eventually land it on a clothes' line along the pathway of our original two strollers. All anxieties are settled, just as bear settles in where it should be: "Tucked in safe so it won't bounce away, this is the bear that's come home to stay."
  
  I absolutely love this book! The eye-catching cover should have clued me in to Amy Bates' skill, but every page still manages to bring an element of surprise for me . . . surprise that my hope for wonder is continually met. I get torn between the desire to admire the page I am on and the excitement to see what artwork lies ahead in the coming pages. It is a visual treat. Of course, this level of creative variety should be attributed also to the unique literary design of Susan Meyers, who pulls off constant setting changes and character introductions. . . and in rhyme to top it off! Clever, oh-so-clever!
  
• 
  Gail Cooke

  Every youngster who loves or has loved a toy animal, specifically a teddy bear will relate to this imaginative story with a happy ending. Susan Meyers relates her tale in easy to understand rhyme, beginning with "This is the bear that went for a ride. Bounced from the stroller. How baby cried!"
  
  As it happens Mother was pushing her baby and his beloved teddy bear in a stroller along a boardwalk when ooops! the bear did fall from the stroller. Of course, Mother looked everywhere but couldn't find it.
  
  Little did she or anyone else know that the bear was in for the adventure of a lifetime. First, a dog found him and did what dogs are apt to do - shook him, tossed him about, and carried him to the beach at the very edge of the sea. Next we read, "This is the wave that came rushing in. Taking the bear for a watery spin."
  
  At this point youngsters may have fun wondering and guessing what could happen to the bear after that.
  
  The teddy bear's journey is illustrated in beautiful pastels by Amy Bates who also did the artwork for The Dog Who Belonged To No One.
  
  - Gail Cooke
• 
  Elizabeth

  Themes: bear, travel, losing something,
  
  With a storytelling feel, this picture book would be a good read for older preschool, early elementary with a reading of the book, and then a recounting of the events - narrative skills development. Maybe have a flannel board with the various adventures to which one would add as the story is read, then the group could go back and "retell" the story. Children could add/try to remember the details from book during the retelling. Children can relate to a favorite thing/toy/security and maybe share what their's is/was.
• 
  Dolly

  This is a fun story to read aloud, with a rhythmic and rhyming narrative and soft, old-fashioned pastel illustrations. Our girls loved looking at the pictures and searching for the little crab on each page. Most children, I'm sure, can relate to the experience of losing a treasured toy or "lovey" (at least ours can!) And this story, while not entirely realistic, shows a heartwarming reunion between child and toy.
• 
  Candice

  What a sweet rhyming story with lovely pictures! A teddy bear falls out of baby's carriage as baby and Mom go for a seaside stroll, and goes on adventures up in the air and under the sea. The rhyming text reminded me of "This is the House that Jack Built." "This is the wave that came rushing in" and "This is the seal that popped up to see." The ending is not a surprise, but is charming nonetheless.
• 
  Sunnyvale Librarian

  Bear's adventure begins when he bounces out of Baby's carriage and lands under a lemonade cart on the beach boardwalk. He's found and lost by a dog, a sailor, a seal and a pelican who drops Bear into a lady's yard where he is pinned to the clothesline to dry out after all of his escapades. Baby and mother walk by the clothesline and are delighted and surprised to find Bear. This tale told in rhyming couplets is a delight to read aloud.
• 
  Janet

  A young boy in his carriage loses his bear as he and his mother stroll the boardwalk. Now bear is off on seaside as well as ocean adventures and yes, the adventures land him safely back into the boy's arms. Great illustrations and great encounters with ocean creatures. Even the sea creatures have young innocent faces.
• 
  Josie B.

  Good for ages 2-5 years. Rhyming text supports phonological awareness. The plot's level of suspense is just right for this age. For 2s, pair with the Giant Pop-out Ocean or I Spy Under the Sea by Edward Gibbs for an under the sea storytime. With older children consider How will We Get to the Beach by Brigitte Luciani or Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea by Jan Peck.
• 
  Donalyn

  In the spirit of There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly, this circular story follows a bear who is lost at the beach and his adventures. A sweet story for young readers or anyone who has lost a beloved toy.
  
  
• 
  Sarah

  The illustrations and the story work well together, and make this a simple and fun story about a teddy bear going on a trip, but I think they should have used a different font to distinguish the text. It clashes with the tone of the tale and the illustrations.
• 
  C.

  Charming illustrations with brief, rhyming text made this an excellent read aloud for my under one-year-old. The story deals with losing a toy, but is resolved in a happy way.
  
  We will definitely be checking this out from the library again.
• 
  Hope

  Loved the illustrations! We were smitten by the very first page. Fabulous little rhyming story, with an adventurous yet homey moral.
  Adorable. We found ourselves saying "awww," with every turn of the page. Great details, extras, and fun concepts woven throughout.
• 
  Nancy

  So sweet and delightful! This is a lovely, lovely picture book, and if I had younger kids I would want to own this one. I believe I ordered it from library because it was a Cybils finalist in picture books.
• 
  Joey Hines

  Used in family storytime on 1/18. The story of a bear who falls out of baby's hands, takes a trip out to sea, through the sky, and back again. A bit long but interesting enough to keep kids' attentions. Cool repetitive structure that helps keep them focused.
• 
  Miss Sarah

  a teddy bear goes on an adventure being moved from one place to place as he is tossed into the air. Will he make it home? Cute concept and I loved the places he goesbut it was too long for storytime.