Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Old Bear finds Little Cub, ends loneliness in sweet story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Little Cub has no one to take care of him and doesn't like living alone in the forest. Old Bear lives in a cozy cabin in the forest but doesn't like living alone, either. He wishes he had someone to share his fish and honey with. Little Cub wishes someone would teach him how to fish and how to get honey from a hive without being stung. Finally Old Bear runs across Little Cub and takes him in. They find they like not being alone, and Old Bear promises to teach Little Cub how to get food so he will never be hungry again. Old Bear puts Little Cub to bed, tells him a story, and the little one falls asleep. \"Good night, Little Cub,\" says Old Bear. \"I'm glad you're here.\"
Is It Any Good?
LITTLE CUB is a sweet, gentle story of two bears who find that they fit together perfectly. Little Cub needs a mentor and guardian, and Old Bear needs companionship. This adoptive relationship echoes that of father and son or grandparent and grandchild. And it shows how happiness can come not from remaining set in your ways but by opening yourself up to sharing your life with another.
Olivier Dunrea's spare, emotive illustrations tell a lot about the characters in each image, making it easy for little ones to grasp the changes in the story as it builds.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it's like for kids to have a relationship with an older person. Are you close to your grandparents? Is it fun to be with them even though they're old? What's special about it?
Did you read the first book about these two characters, Old Bear and His Cub? Is it fun to find out how they got together in the first place?
Do you like animal stories? What other books or movies about animals can you remember enjoying?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Olivier Dunrea
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Friendship , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Philomel
- Publication date : November 27, 2012
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 3 - 8
- Number of pages : 32
- Available on : Nook, Hardback
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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