This was an adorable story about a forgetful and curious little bear! Enjoyed the illustrations and story. I could see my 4 year old asking for this book again and again.

"A Bear Is a Bear (except when he's not)" is such a cute children's book from author Karl Newson. The book tells the story of a bear who forgets who he is. He wanders around the forest pretending to be other animals, but quickly realizing that it just doesn't work that way. Will he ever remember who he is?

The story was simple but adorable. My children and I loved the colorful illustrations and the different woodland characters. The story did have some repetition in it, so my children soon learned the flow of the story and could anticipate what might happen. We were able to make predictions which was a good way to get the kids really engaged in the tale. We really enjoyed the end and seeing the entire story come together. This book is wonderful for children and adults to read together.

Cute rhyming books with delightful illustrations. Follow the bear along his journey to remember what type of animal he is as he rules out all the animals he is not.

If not for the Event we'd have been meeting bears yesterday, but by way of a consolation prize I got this from Netgalley. The plot, even by picturebook standards, doesn't make a lick of sense - we're none of us at our best if we wake up too early, but forgetting one's own species suggests the bear must have been on quite the bender the season before. Still, the art has found a sweet spot in terms of being at once stylised, evocative, recognisable and warm, and the story serves as an excuse for the delightfully round bear to get into mild predicaments, look endearingly confused, and generally warm the heart.

This will be a perfect storytime read aloud with its use of repetition.

What fascinated me the most about this book was illustrations!


Thankyou Netgalley and publisher for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

A bear is a bear except when he is not...
How silly and cute is this?! A little bear tries to be everything he isnt because he has forgotten what he is. No hidden or deeper meanings here just a simple and sweet little rhyming book.

My favorite thing about this particular book is the illustrations. The bright colors used are stunning and will be sure to catch small readers eyes.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A bear wakes up early from hibernation and doesn't remember what he is! This book takes us on a fun, silly journey as this bear tries to remember what he is. I love the rhymes and the artwork is stunning! This is definitely a book I would read over and over again to my two young kids.

This book was given to me an an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

A Bear Is a Bear is a delightful, colorful read that is sure to bring a smile. It will be a perfect storytime read aloud with its use of repetition. Readers will delight in the color, lesson about hibernation, and bear's animal antics.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. The pictures are so cute and colorful. The colors used were striking. The silly bear had the kids I read to giggling. They loved trying to guess what he would be next. The rhyming text flowed well and fit well. It's a good read that the kids will want to read more than once!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review. I loved this cute little book about what a bear is when he is not a bear. Excellent illustrations too.

The best part about this book are the illustrations. I love the way the trees, forest creatures, and weather are depicted. I don't love the illustration of the bear itself--compared to all the other animals, he looks roly-poly and unrealistic.

What I couldn't totally get on board with is the storyline. Basically this book asks you to imagine, "If you were a bear, and you woke up one day and suddenly forgot what species you are, what would you be instead?" This concept wasn't explained clearly, and to be honest, I'm not sure children will get it. I do love how rhythmic and rhyming the text is, and the words sound lovely. The problem is that the overall plot is too abstract for young children to grasp.

This book truly has great illustrations, I just think the concept is too vague for it children to truly connect with the story.

A funny title about a bear trying to figure out what animal he is. Complete with sweet illustrations, this book would make a good addition to any story time or home library. Ages 1-6

This beautifully illustrated children’s book tells the tale of a bear who has forgotten who he is. The repetitive text and the rhyme scheme keeps young readers engaged. This would be the perfect book to read aloud when children are learning about hibernation and animal traits.

What would you be if you weren't yourself? What makes you uniquely you? This is a cute exploration of identity and self-worth seen through the eyes of a bear in need of hibernation!

A fun little book with an introduction to animals. I liked how it rhymed throughout and I’m always a fan of repeating stanzas, it makes it fun for kids who can slowly repeat after you as the book goes on. Very sweet illustrations.

Cute story of what happens when a bear awakens too early from hibernation and is so disoriented he can't remember what animal he is.

So, we see the bear trying to be a bird, but he can't fly, and a moose, but he doesn't like grass and a squirrel, but he has trouble climbing trees.

Each time he sees an animal he thinks that might be who he is.

Kids will find it amazing that the bear has forgotten. A good book to discuss the silliness of it all, as well as how groggy one is when you wake up from a nap too soon.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book availablel for an honest review.

***Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

Love the illustrations and rhyming. This was a cute book for kids to learn a little bit about animals.

This lovely read out loud by Karl Newson focuses on a bear, that simply forgot. If you follow along the wonderful illustrations, one will notice the change in weather and see that Bear simply woke up too early, and anyone knows that if you wake up too early from a nap, you forget everything! The reader gets a chance to follow along this heartwarming tale with Bear as he tries to figure out who he is, and what makes him different. This book would be a great addition to a collection as it discusses the themes of being different, as well as teaching the reader about hibernation.

A Bear is a Bear (except when he's not) by Karl Newson is a story about a bear who wakes up too early and has forgotten that he is a bear. He wanders around trying to decide what he could be. This simple, rhyming tale has lovely illustrations. If your library needs more books on winter and hibernation, then this would be a nice selection.

This is a sweet story about a bear who forgets that he is a bear so he tries out being other forest animals in an attempt to remember what he is.

Through fun rhyming text and soft illustrations children will enjoy guessing what animal Bear will try to be next. This book also offers opportunities to discuss similarities and differences between the animals as well as changing seasons.
I can see using this in a preschool or family storytime abut Bears, Spring, Seasons, Forest Animals, or Emotions.