When we go to the zoo, one of our first stops is at the polar bear exhibit. Will Kali be swimming in the pool or standing under the ice machine that drops ice straight into his exhibit? Today we are exploring all things bear books for kids. It’s just one of the many book lists about animals we have on Growing Book by Book.
Children’s Books About Bears
Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
A cute little baby bear helps us learn all about colors from the yellow sun to the red ripe strawberries in Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff. (BOARD BOOK)
Honey by David Ezra Stein is about Bear who is awake for spring and he has honey on his mind. But, it’s not the time for honey yet. There is some repetitive text that makes it especially fun. (BOARD BOOK)
My all-time favorite bear is Mother Bruce. The Mother Bruce books by Ryan T. Higgins are a hoot to read aloud and have gorgeous illustrations. Bruce suffers from a case of mistaken identity and ends up becoming Mother Bruce. The original Mother Bruce is my favorite. But, the others in the series are super enjoyable too. *CIRCLE TIME PICK*
Bear is Awake! by Hannah E. Harrison is an alphabet book but is also has the feel of a wordless book in that there is so much going on in the illustrations that the story is really in the illustrations. The alphabet part plays a secondary role to be enjoyed on future reads.
There are lots of things to be done before hibernating. Will Small Bear be able to get all the chores done and still have time for a story? Find out in A Story for Small Bear by Alice B. McGinty.
Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris and illustrated by LeUyen Pham is a Caldecott Honor Book. There is a river and when a bear and friends come along it turns out there is lots of fun to be had.
Who Wet My Pants? by Bob Shea is the story of Reuben who is determined to find out who wet his pants. Could it possibly have been him?
Bear is a very handy fellow. He is busily preparing his den by making furniture and games. He even has an artistic touch. But, one thing is missing…FRIENDS. Turns out there are plenty of bear friends who want to visit Bear Make Den by Jane Godwin.
Sleepyhead Bear by Lisa Westberg Peters is full of rhythm. Bear is ready for sleep but the pesky bugs keep him up and lead him out on an adventure. Soon though, Sleepyhead Bear can stay awake no longer and falls fast asleep. *CIRCLE TIME PICK*
For more bear themed bedtime stories, check out a list I created for Brightly.—>See the bedtime bear themed books.
Let’s keep going with bears. In Where, Oh Where, Is Baby Bear? by Ashley Wolff we get to find Baby Bear as he explores his nighttime surroundings. His mama finds him behind the waterfall, inside the mossy long, and other fun places.
A human family has arrived at the lake for the season in The Summer Visitors by Karel Hayes. Can the bear family enjoy their summer alongside the human family? This mostly wordless book is so fun for preschoolers to study the pictures and tell the story. There is also The Winter Visitors, The Fall Visitors, and The Spring Visitors.
Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light by Apryl Stott is a heart-warming story about kindness. Spreading love and expecting nothing in return is the best way to show kindness. A young girl, a bear, and other woodland creatures teach us this through a sweet wintry story.
The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach leads us down the road to think that a hungry bear ate the sandwich out of the lunchbox. But, is that really the true story? After reading, pair our fun sandwich early literacy activities with the book.—>Get The Bear Ate Your Sandwich Activities
Rangers often remind campers to not feed the animals. Well, in Don’t Feed the Bear by Kathleen Doherty the bear and the ranger battle with signage to inform campers what they should really do. This funny romp will encourage kids to make their own signs. Plus, they will want to make s’mores too.
Bear Moves by Ben Bailey Smith will get kids moving and grooving during read-aloud time. Children will love to imitate Bear’s moves on the classroom dance floor. It would be fun to make a tinfoil disco ball for your reading area when you enjoy this book. *CIRCLE TIME PICK*
My all-time favorite Valentine’s Day book is The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting. It is the story of two hibernating bears. Before nestling in for a long winter nap, Mrs. Bear sets her alarm for February 14th. She has a sweet surprise in store for her husband. But, while she is out gathering supplies, Mr. Bear surprises her for Valentine’s Day. Oh, I love it so!
Tiptoe Joe by Ginger Foglesong Gibson is the story of Joe the bear who tiptoes through the forest gathering the animals on a journey to see his special surprise. It’s such a fun read-aloud! *CIRCLE TIME PICK*
Finding Winne by Lindsay Mattick is the true story of a bear named Winnie which inspired the fictional story, Winnie-the-Pooh. In this book we learn about a real bear who traveled the world and into a war. For another perspective, check out Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh by Sally M. Walker.
Classic Bear Books for Kids
Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey takes us to the mountainside while a bear family and a person family look for blueberries. But, the little ones of the families get a little mixed-up.
The best thing to do with berries is to turn them into jam. Get collecting in Jamberry by Bruce Degen. Then, enjoy this berry alphabet activity that we created to complement the book.—>Get the Jamberry Activity.
Bill Martin Jr has delighted generations with the classic Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? to work on color recognition. We have lots of activities to do with this title too.—>Get the Brown Bear Activities.
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson tells the story of a hibernating bear who discovers he is late to the party his friends are throwing. It’s just one of the Bear books. Others include Bear Says Thanks, Bear’s Loose Tooth, Bear’s New Friend and more. We have activities to go with this book too.—>Get the Bear Snores On Activities *CIRCLE TIME PICK*
Another classic book you think about when it comes to bears is Goldilocks and the Three Bears. And, we have a whole list of variations of that familiar tale.—>See the Goldilocks and the Three Bears Books
And, we also have some printable Goldilocks and the Three Bears activities to use with the story too.—>See the Goldilocks and the Three Bears Activities
Informational Books About Bears
Get ready to head to Bear Camp. Go deep into the woods to learn all about these creatures from polar bears to pandas.
Did you know that Spectacled bears build nests high up in trees? Or, did you know that when bears are hibernating they sometimes don’t poop?
So much to explore and learn in Do Bears Poop in the Woods? by Huw Lewis Jones and Sam Cladwell.
Sea Bear: A Journey for Survival by Lindsay Moore introduces us to the polar bear. Follow a lone bear across the Arctic sea searching for food and shelter.
Polar Bear by Candace Fleming invites alongside a mother polar bear and her two babies as they come out of hibernation and make their journey home.
Another beautiful bear pick is A Bear’s Year by Kathy Duval. In this one, we not only get to follow a bear but also her cubs through the seasons.
Shhh! Bears Sleeping by David Martin walks us through the seasons as the bears wake from their slumber. The illustrations are beautiful!
Children’s Books About Pandas
That’s Not My Panda is part of the fabulous That’s Not My…series. These are touch and feel books so they are super interactive for young children. (BOARD BOOK)
It doesn’t get much cuter than learning about opposites with adorable pictures of the creatures in Panda Opposites by Suzi Eszterhas. (BOARD BOOK)
Xander is throwing a party in Xander’s Panda Party by Linda Sue Park and the guest list keeps growing and growing.
Please, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony is a short sweet story about the importantce of having good manners. There is also Thank you, Mr. Panda which teaches our kids the power of saying thank you for gifts. This is a good pick for the toddler and preschool crowd.
Every story has a problem but panda doesn’t have a problem in The Panda Problem by Deborah Underwood. Could it be that Panda is the problem?
Polar Bear Books for Kids
No Place Like Home by Ronogjoy Ghosh is the tale of a polar bear unhappy with where he lives so he sets out to find a better place. Turns out that the cold and snow artic is the perfect home for him.
A Polar Bear in the Snow by Mac Barnett is the tale of a bear on a quest to… Stunning art by Shawn Harris is equally intriguing.
Does Bear need help to tie his shoes? Read Bear Needs Help by Sarah H. Brannen to find out what Bear really needs help with and whether any animals can help.
Polar Bear Island by Lindsay Bonilla is so funny. See on Polar Bear Island no others are allowed. But, you give a little and then…
Tear jerker alert! Ida, Always by Caron Levis is a heart-breaking and heart-warming story of two polar bear friends. Gus learns that Ida is sick. After she passes, Gus realizes that she may be gone, but not forgotten.
Also, try out our Polar Bear Sound Activity and our Polar Bear Walk to build phonological awareness and alphabet recognition skills.
Children’s Books About Teddy Bears
Where’s My Teddy? by Jez Alborough is the story of a hunt for a missing teddy bear that leads to the woods and a possible case of mistaken identity.
And then there is the Corduroy by Don Freeman. Lovable little Corduroy who is missing a button off his overalls, but is still picked to be a loved treasure to a little girl. We have activities to go with this book too.—>Get the Corduroy Activities.
A little boy needs his bear. Can you spot the bear? Try it out in Where is Bear? by Jonathan Bentley. And, get ready for a surprise ending. This is such a fun read-aloud for circle time. *CIRCLE TIME PICK*
Printable Book List of Bear Books for Kids
Grab a printable book list of the books above. It’s great to take to the library or stick in your lesson plan binder.
Cuddle up and enjoy a great bear-themed book with your children.
RELATED POSTS
Leave a Reply