The Very Noisy Bear by Nick Bland

Rating 4 out of 5
ISBN: 9781743627853
ISBN-10: 1743627858
Series: Cranky Bear
Audience: Children For Ages: 3 - 6 years old
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
Number Of Pages: 24
Published: 1st July 2015

Cranky Bear is back for his fifth book in the series. This time Cranky gets his music on and tries to find a musical instrument he can play with rather disastrous results. He is joined by his jungle friends (Lion, Zebra, Moose and Sheep) who try to help him navigate the world of musical instruments.

We are huge fans of the series here and have all the books (The Very Cranky Bear, The Very Itchy Bear, The Very Hungry Bear, and The Very Brave Bear). Saw this on the shelf and didn't even think twice before putting it in the shopping trolley. Glad I did.

This is another lovely story of Bear learning to keep trying and never give up. Bear is really quite terrible at playing all the instruments given to him. Just as he was about to give up he started to sing and what do you know, he totally rocks at singing.

Everything about these books are delightful, the art work, the lyrical story, the message behind the story. You do not have to read them in order either so just pick up a book and away you go.

Another wonderful installment in the series that your kids will love if they are Cranky Bear fans.

Some Dads by Nick Bland

Rating 4 out of 5
Reading level: Ages 2-6
Hardcover: 24 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press (01/08/2011)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 9781741697933

Some dads worry. Some dads hurry. Some get lost and some are sporty. Others like strolling and some are even naughty! 

All dads are different, and this simple narrative by Nick Bland celebrates this fact. The book has one simple message, no matter what your dad loves you.

As with Bland's previous books, this story is told with a simple rhyming rhythm. There is an easy flow to the words and it makes for a fantastic read out loud book that everyone will enjoy. Bland has a wonderful way of presenting an important message in a fun and beautiful manner.

The illustrations are beautiful and humorous, showing an animal father completing one of the actions described. I loved the frog dad with a sweat band playing a computer game. Each picture has exquisite detail and really makes this book.

This will be a win for your child and a favourite for dads (and anyone else) to read.

From Narrative Causality Happy Fathers Day.

The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland

Rating: 5 out of 5
Hardcover
Publisher: Scholastic (2008)
ISBN-10: 0545172241
ISBN-13: 978-0545172240
Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 9.2 x 0.2 inches

First Sentence: "In the Jingle Jangle Jungle on a cold and rainy day, four little friends found a perfect place to play."

Love, love, loved this book.

Four friends try to find a safe place out of the rain to play, and encounter a very cranky bear. They then set about trying to make the bear happy. The writing is clear and in verse. This makes it great to read a loud and there are a few well placed illustrative roars to throw in there.

The illustrations are just beautiful. Children will delight in the pictures (so will the parents) that are vibrant and extremely detailed. The Author is also the illustrator and he did an amazing job anthropomorphising the animals and capturing their expressions, personalities and moods.

On a deeper level this book simply deal with issues like problem solving, negotiation, thinking outside the box, and most importantly caring for others. Instead of pulling a prank on the bear or getting revenge the four friends try to work out why the bear is angry and how they can cheer him up. However this is not a serious book and the words along with the pictures make it quite humorous. When the bear comes out of the cave, he looks so silly you cant help but laugh.

My 8 month old loved looking at the pictures and enjoyed the roar noises. He absolutely loved this book but I think I liked it more :) I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with young children.

Extras
Here is a youtube video of a book reading of The Very Cranky Bear