"An endearing story filled with tenderness, humor, and warm family relationships." (Booklist)

Little Bear likes to visit Grandmother and Grandfather Bear. He likes to try on Grandfather's hat. He likes Grandmother's cooking. But best of all, he loves the stories his grandparents tell him, of robins and goblins, and of Mother Bear when she was little.

This Caldecott Honor winner is among the beloved classic Little Bear books from Else Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak. The first, Little Bear, launched the I Can Read early reader series in 1957.

In the Little Bear stories, we meet Little Bear, whose adventures are filled with humor and joy. And we meet Mother Bear, who is there whenever Little Bear needs her. When it is cold and snowy outside, she finds just the right outfit for Little Bear to play in. When he goes to the moon, she has a hot lunch waiting for him on his return. And, of course, she never forgets his birthday.

An ALA Notable Children's Book, this Level One I Can Read is full of warm and lovingly playful stories that are perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences. Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the short sentences, familiar words, and simple concepts of Level One books support success for children eager to start reading on their own.

Little Bear and his parents are familiar to almost all beginning readers. And now beginning readers meet Grandmother and Grandfather Bear, whom they are sure to love as much as Little Bear does.

Like all children, Little Bear loves to visit his grandparents. There is always so much to do, so much to see, and so much to eat. His grandfather is never too tired to play (that is, almost never) and his grandmother tells him stories about Mother Bear when she was a little cub. Also, like all grandparents, the elder bears indulge their grandson more than his parents do. And Little Bear enjoys that!

This account of a truly perfect day will enchant beginning readers. Once again Else Holmelund Minark and Maurice Sendak have created a warm and tender world.

Sendak, Maurice

Maurice Sendak's books have sold over 50 million copies and have been translated into more than 40 languages. He received the 1964 Caldecott Medal for Where the Wild Things Are and is the creator of such classics as In the Night Kitchen, Outside Over There, Higglety Pigglety Pop!, and Nutshell Library. In 1970 he received the international Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Illustration, in 1983 he received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award from the American Library Association, and in 1996 he received a National Medal of Arts in recognition of his contribution to the arts in America. In 2003, Sendak received the first Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, an annual international prize for children's literature established by the Swedish government.

Minarik, Else Holmelund

Else Holmelund Minarik first introduced readers to her timeless character in the classic Little Bear. Publication of this book, with illustrations by Maurice Sendak, launched the I Can Read series. This much-loved author continues to write stories for children at her home in North Carolina.

Sendak, Maurice

In addition to Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak's books include Kenny's Window, Very Far Away, The Sign on Rosie's Door, Nutshell Library (consisting of Chicken Soup with Rice, Alligators All Around, One Was Johnny, and Pierre), Higglety Pigglety Pop! or There Must Be More to Life, In the Night Kitchen, Outside Over There, We Are All in the Dumps with Jack and Guy, and Bumble-Ardy.

He received the 1964 Caldecott Medal for Where the Wild Things Are; the 1970 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration; the 1983 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, given by the American Library Association in recognition of his entire body of work; and a 1996 National Medal of Arts in recognition of his contribution to the arts in America. In 2003, he received the first Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, an international prize for children's literature established by the Swedish government.