Common Sense Media Review
By Tracy Moore
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gorgeous illustrations buoy book about bears and teamwork.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When Charlie, Theo, and Dash break their mother's favorite blue seashell, they decide to replace it. Off they sail to look high and low for the perfect substitute, only to discover it's not that easy to make their mistake go away.
Is It Any Good?
THREE BEARS IN A BOAT tells a simple story about trying to fix a mistake, but the easy pace and gentle sweetness of the disposition make this is a terrific read. There's a little minor peril when the bears are on their own on the rough seas, but no one's injured and the distress is used to show that it's better to work together and take responsibility than quarrel to solve a problem or try to cover it up.
Most striking are the gorgeously rendered watercolor illustrations, recognizable to fans of the Ladybug Girl series, which give the book an old-fashioned, sea-swept appeal. Kids will enjoy these seafaring bear adventures, and parents will appreciate the positive lessons and sweetness of the aesthetics.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about admitting mistakes. Have you ever made a mistake or broken something? What did you do? Did you tell mom or dad? What happened?
The book says the bears are "in the same boat." What does it mean to say we are all in the same boat?
Why do you think the bears can't find the seashell they're looking for? Where do they find it?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : David Soman
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Dial
- Publication date : May 20, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 3 - 5
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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