Author/Illustrator: Max KornellPublisher: G.P.Putnam’s Sons, 2011
Genre: fiction
Themes: friendship, bears, siblings
Age Level: 4-6
Opening: It started off just right. I had a mom and a dad and my own set of blocks. I had everything I needed.
Synopsis: from the publisher: Everything in Owen’s world is just peachy-till his parents bring home a bear named Gary-without even asking! Gary changes everything: he takes up way too much space and makes a mess of all of Owen’s toys. Gary means well, though, and eventually Owen starts to see that there are some good things about having a bear in the family.
Why I like this book: I am a sucker for great illustrations and Kornell captures the frustration of his main character impeccably, using vibrant watercolors and pencil lines, creatively arranged in collage with acrylics. The difficulty in adapting to change in a family is conveyed in a straightforward manner and balanced with gentle yet juicy humor.
Resource/Activity: This is the first time I have attached a book enrichment pdf, from Words Alive, so let me know if you have trouble downloading: ELIBookEnrichmentGuide_BearWithMe
The attached video was probably made as an intro piece, but it is fun and informative to see how his characters come to life digitally:
For more posts on Perfect Picture Books and resources visit Susanna Hill’s blog any day of the week!
PS – Playing around with a more graphic header, utilizing a font I created. Should I stick to pretty pics instead?
julie rowan-zoch 
I like the pretty pic myself!
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Yes they’re lovely!
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Looks cute. I looove the header!
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Thanks Kendra. You’ll love the book.
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What a great cover! Change is so hard on kids, especially a new sibling. This is quite an exageration about how someone new can mess things up, but it drives home the point. Love the video.
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It would make a great book for a family adopting too. Thanks Pat.
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I loved the video to Julie. Lovely book and review thanks for sharing. Btw love your header.
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Thanks for taking the time to check things out!
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cute story. love the cover. thanks for the review.
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Thanks for dropping in!
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This looks great! I’m so glad I came across this because it gives me an idea for a story I’m working on.
Great banner on your site, by the way. Is that new?
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Glad to hear it – gotta love inspiration sparks! Yep, new banner, but will need some tweaked soon. Thanks for viewing Carrie.
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Very cool-sounding book. A great way to look at change, which can be very disconcerting for a kid. Thanks, Julie! (And I love the new graphic-design header.)
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Thanks for taking the time to comment – feedback is golden!
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I love the concept behind this story. Also love the new header!
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Thanks Amy!
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I love the sound of this book, and I’m amused because it sounds similar in concept to the book I chose – great minds think alike 🙂 Thanks for sharing this one, Julie – it looks wonderful!
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This is the title that I remembered after I was inspired by the same phrase on a recent post of yours (and thought I had another ms idea – ha!).
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Love the trailer/video! This sounds really cute with a great message!
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Yes, indeed – thanks for taking the time to watch the video.
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Looks like a fun book. The PDF downloaded with ease. I enjoyed the digital drawing video too, especially after the weekend conference. Again, thanks for being a roomie. After I finish all my homework, I have notes from one of the workshops to send you (and that link I feel like I promise, but can’t seem to remember).
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Thanks Stacy. Good luck with all the HW, Con-buddy!
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Wow, Julie…awesome banner! Also, awesome book choice for PPBF…thanks for providing the illustration trailer clip…it almost makes me think I could draw illustrations for my stories…ummm…I did say almost, didn’t I? 🙂 🙂
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Thanks Vivian. I think drawing, and for some learning to draw, would be a great benefit to all PB writers – to visualize their stories themselves, even if they never plan on being the illustrator.
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I agree, Julie! I plan to ‘retire’ at the end of the year…and will have more time to pursue that creative side of me. 🙂
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