The Bear Who Didn't Like Honey
343670
This lovely picture book is beautifully illustrated and its prose is poetic. Little children can relate to this delightful tale of a young bear cub fearful of the river, nightime darkness, and honey bees. But, instead of ackowledging his fear, he just claims not to like honey and such.  No one's fooled: his brothers and sisters call him "scaredy bear." In a moment of crisis, he overcomes his fear of heights to save a younger cub. When told how brave he is, he finally acknowledges how afraid he was..the first step toward dealing with his phobias.
4659640
My family has always loved the Berenstain Bear books-- from my own youth, through my now-6 and 4 year old daughters, to my new baby. These books usually have a great lesson to teach, and a fun story to tell. THIS book only told a story, NO the trademark Berenstain Bears lesson, and not a very good story, at that.

The worst part was how mamma forced the cubs to eat vegetables with their dinners-- the story presented it as though no kid would ever want to eat a vegetable. My kids love vegetables (not that they don't love fries), I don't want them hearing Brother Bear saying "why do vitamins have to taste so bad?" What's the point in trying to make it harder for kids to eat well? I HATE when books or tv shows do this.
Even though my family is pretty traditional, it bothered me that the whole deal was that mamma was tired from doing all the home and child care, so papa decided to treat her to a night out. As the previous reviewer, I just changed a few words for that.

I used to buy Berenstain books on the name alone, I trusted them to be good. Now I'll have to check reviews first when possible. I have liked other of the newer Berenstain books, though. I hid this book under a bed after the first read, we're never reading it again.
1720243
Nick Jan's wrote a good book, and the author obtained photos of the bear that ate Tim and Amie, lying dead in the Grizzly Maze after the rangers killed him.  It was a reddish bear identified as Bear 141 -- which in fact was the old bear Tim called Quincy--the old bear had lost most of his teeth and likely that is why he could not kill Tim very quickly.  The Grizzly Man film tried to say it was "Ollie the Big Old bear"  who likely killed Tim, but Ollie was a dark colored bear, not a reddish bear like the bear in lying dead on the ground in the Maze.  Quincy the Bear was a reddish bear.  Quincy the bear was bear #141, the bear who killed and ate Tim and Amie, and I don't know why this has never been said.  Tim and Amie were killed and eaten by Quincy the bear, the old bear that Tim loved.
2730354
Jim Cole has been ticketed and banned at many National Parks for willing breaking the law and endangering, not only his life, but the lives of the bears.  He was recently mauled at Yellowstone and his actions most likely will result in the death of the bear as he pursued and harrassed a mother bear protecting her cubs.  We were at Yellowstone during the incident and the rangers said that the photos they found in his camera did not line up with the tale he told.

This is his second mauling because he will risk the life of the bear just to get his money shot.  If you are considering buying his books because you love bears, be aware that man is not a advocate for bears but rather will do things that result in their being shot in order to enrich himself.
2588022
There is a horror lurking under little William's basement stairs - a hungry grizzly bear with a taste for little boys and an unnatural interest in their toys. Worst of all, William must deal with this horror on his own, as he lacks the hard evidence needed to alert his parents. Since this is no 'Home Alone', appeasement is William's only way to avoid becoming its next lunch. Ultimately these efforts backfire and draw a new character into the struggle just in time for the final showdown.

Author Helen Cooper possesses a rare insight into children's minds and the childhood world. She knows their twilight places and the monsters that haunt them. And as her other successful works (such as 'The Boy Who Wouldn't Go to Bed') demonstrate, she is particularly adept at depicting those places in rich, colourful pastels, and from the perspective of small children (we see much of William's world at doorknob height and some adults mainly from the neck down). She is also great when it comes to drawing little boys and bears and their families. The piece de resistance comes in the page illustrating William's ultimate nightmare fantasy, a Boschian garden of unearthly delights starring a hot-tubbing, cross-dressing, pancake-flipping, walkman-dancing, TV-watching, electric-train borrowing, bannister-sliding bear in full rampage.

Like the Ahlbergs' 'Peepo', Cooper's illustrations contain some of the most richly humourous explorations of the issue of subjective perception that I have seen in a children's book. Not only is there the obvious question of what does William really see down there, we also get to share the bear's perspective on William and his world (not flattering).

Were there an academy award for best character in this book, the bear would win hands down. This is not to take anything away from William, but there is something powerful in that bear's face that defies quick categorization. This is no teddy bear. He's got an edge, a face that could indeed take a bite out of a little boy. To make matters worse, we often see that bear in an annoyed, even hostile state, as William's frantic attempts at appeasement bomb out big time. Yet in the final showdown there is something indefinable about that bear that grabs our sympathies by the throat. Perhaps in banishing this bear, this archetype of primal childhood fears, the hero is also banishing a fundamental and irretrievable part of childhood itself.

If your reading audience consists of those who insist on starting at the copyright notice and earlier, be forewarned, this book will vindicate all their prejudices, as it features key illustrations both on the title page and after the text has trimphantly concluded. These (and particularly the look on his face!) suggest that reports that the bear has been permanently vanquished may be greatly exaggerated.

This book deserves to be recognized as a classic for 4- to 8-year-olds.
4625191
I was not happy with the bear I got in came in a package that was very small I opened it and it popped out the bear is not fluffy at all the package said wait two-three days for it to fluff out and it is still completely flat i wouldn't buy this bear again and i was a little embarrassed to give this bear as a gift and not only was the bear not fluffy the sticking had already started to come out. I don't recommend this bear for anyone to really buy
3814117
not a true representation of the fierceness of a Honey badger (Ratel) in the wild. Even leopards don't mess with them; neither will a lion. Badgers are fierce animals, loyal to their families, and great hunters on their own. Honey is just a treat; a dessert, though it is true a Ratel will work with a Pilot bird to find the honey caches.

That said, this story is based on an African tale and teaches a lesson in sharing. Not only is the coloring and look of an African badger correct, the trees, plants, and other animals are, too. (I know having been to Africa)

So, as a story, moral tale, and example of elaborate illustrations, this book is quite excellent. It's up there with Wind in the Willows, the Foxwood series, Percy the Parkkeeper stories, and many, many more that feature the badger for a juvenile audience.

If you want more accurate information about badgers, there are many other factual books available for children and adults.
2790187
I had this bear years ago and lost it in a move. It was great to have her back (though my allergies kicked in, it was worth it).
220967
my box turtle didn't like.  she doesn't like smooshy food.  she ate a few small ones not hydrated.  will try again with not as much water.
1742194
I love the entire Bear series by Stella Blackstone and Debbie Harter except for this book.  Bear at Home, Bear About Town, Bear in Sunshine, and Bear at Work are wonderful.  I also like Bear on a Bike and Bear in a Square.  This book has a distraction that is confusing to children.  On the page referencing the baby's birthday the mother bear is holding a bottle.  The mother bear isn't feeding the baby; she is just holding the bottle up for everyone to see.  The bottle is not needed in the illustration, and it is confusing for children who are learning about animals.

We have multiple books that talk about animal moms and babies, and many of them casually reference that the moms provide milk for the babies.  Children who understand what makes a reptile a reptile and what makes a mammal a mammal are thrown off when they see the bottle.  The bottle is distracting, and it doesn't add anything to the story.  My child understands that mammal moms nurse their young, and my child knows that bears are mammals.  My child asked me why the mother bear is holding a bottle and mentioned that another book we have shows a mama bear nursing during hibernation.

It would be nice if a new illustration was made for this page without the bottle.  I would be happy to buy this book as a gift for others and edit my review if the new printings of the book didn't have this distraction that is confusing to children learning about types of animals.
1376105
Review For:  The Half-Bears Honey by Jacqueline Sweet  -  5-Stars

A copy of the Half-Bears Honey by Jacqueline Sweet was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.

On an ordinary night, Rose would have huddled in her car and waited out the storm before looking for help; but this is not a normal night.  Rose is being pursued and in an attempt to flee drives west; nobody from Poppy Valley ever drove west, because they knew monsters lived in Bearfield.  Rose wonders how she has come to this point. Yesterday she had been the lone librarian of Poppy Valley, but now, after crashing her car, she is marooned in the vast wilderness freezing to death; all because Ronald, a predator, had taken a shine to her and she had rebuffed him and fled. Rose comes across what looks like an abandoned farm house, but behind it is a cottage and she lets herself in.  Rose didn't see the eyes watching her from the farm house, or the growl that she thinks is thunder.  The cottage belongs to Liams last love, but he cannot enter it until he becomes a man again. It has been so long since the witchs curse took Liam, leaving him half man and half bear; his thoughts only bring anger, sadness and rage. But when he was young and foolish he had refused to help a traveller in need, breaking one of the most fundamental rules of civilisation and this was why he was cursed. When Liam invites Rose to share his food, he looks like no man she has ever seen before.  While Rose should leave, she doesnt want to; there is something deeply intriguing about this sad haunted man and his incredible food.  Also, what did he look like under his hood?  Liam has so many questions and the prospect of having a guest for the first time in so long is hard to pass up; he has forgotten how lonely his world is until Rose reminds him.  Liam had been given the offer of moving to Bearfield once, but he knew people would only look at him with fear and revulsion. Ronald has not given up on finding Rose and before long he is once again threatening her.  Liam will not allow Ronald to terrorise his mate.  It is time for the monster to appear, but Liams attack sets in motion something quite unexpected and unforeseen.  This was a wonderful story and one I enjoyed reading immensely.
4726990
My 2 year old daughter handed me a copy of this book.  When I started to read it, I was shocked.  I grew up loving the Berenstain Bears.  As an adult I have become painfully aware of the biases towards mothers or women in society.  This book lower Poppa bear to the level of children or worse.  Why should we indoctrinate our children from a tender age that mothers make sure things get done and dads are lazy bums?  I for one will not be reading Berenstain Bears books to my children in the future.  This book could have easily be written without applying a negative stero-type of men.
4966220
There is just no way around it, this product stinks! It's fish oil. I have used and am a fan of the Grizzly products. We mix the oil with her daily dose of yogurt for her tummy (a tablespoon) and then mix something yummy with that, a little wet food, a bit of chicken etc. She hesitated, it doesn't seem to be her favorite, but she will eventually lick it up, especially if there is a yummy food with it.

Izzy's back legs are arthritic. We are trying to help her with her joints and the ingredients in the Joint aid the are the common ones that are found in most joint aids.
3642843
The illustrations are cute and colorful throughout the story of Otter and his friends Otter Keeper and Teddy.

To entertain themselves while Otter Keeper is at work, Otter and Teddy open a toast restaurant for Otter Keeper's other toys.  They experience problems and Otter fires Teddy as cook, promoting Giraffe to cook in his place. There is a disaster to clean up when Otter Keeper returns home, and Otter realizes Teddy is missing.  After an extensive search for most of the night, Teddy is located in a box of toys.  From then on, Otter blames problems on Giraffe, not Teddy.

I didn't like that Otter does not accept responsibility for his mistakes but instead blames them on his friends. I don't think that sends the right message to young children.
1489145
So I'm in the woods, a balmy early summer evening, hiking, enjoying nature at its finest. And I come across a black bear. No, I'm not being racist, it really was a black bear. And I know not to run from a bear, because they're really fast as large quadripeds go. I start to make noise, clapping my hands and yelling, and the bear stands up on his hind legs and starts swaying, like he thinks I'm singing so he's gonna dance, right? But at that moment, I look down and see a morel mushroom. Now, if you like mushrooms, you know morels are simply delectible. So like any good mycophile, I stoop down to harvest the morel morsel, and that fast, the bear is almost upon me. I think to myself, self, this is no ordinary black bear, this here's a Ninja black bear, maybe even with a garotte and some throwing stars stashed in his fur. Now for some reason, he stopped, about ten feet from me, and just looked into my eyes, like we were soulmates or something. And in that moment, I knew I was either going to be the Ninja-bear's meal, or his lover.
So I sprayed him and he ran away.
23304
The bear was not as i Expected. According to the reviews i read the bear was skinny. I have to stuff something now to look it big. But the bear was was big enough as shown in the picture. I got the bear in a small box. in a small package. But when i opened it it became big. I was not really satisfied as the bear is skinny but it is big. Bow was torn-out. Now i have to fix it.:(
270187
No more bees and no more of the red humming bird liquid.
They seem to feed more and more often using the sugar water mixture.