Bear-ly There

In BEAR-LY THERE, by author/illustrator Rebekah Raye, we learn what do you do when there’s a bear in your backyard. A big black bear shows up one moonlit night and creates a real ruckus, first breaking into the shed where the grain is kept for the geese (who aren’t too happy about it), then raiding the bird feeders. The bear is also causing problems at other homes in the neighborhood, getting into the trash and compost and eating dog food that was left out overnight. One neighbor offers to shoot it. Another one suggests calling the game warden to have the bear tranquilized and relocated. But the child among them knows what is best. A bear belongs in the woods, he says, and together with the adults clears the yards in the neighborhood of any food that would tempt the bear. His dad comes up with a good idea for warning the bear away–and it works! BEAR-LY THERE shows that it’s always best for the bear if it stays in the woods, away from humans. An occasional glimpse of a bear through the trees or at the far side of a meadow is much, much better than having one in the backyard–for us and for the bear.

 

Available wherever books are sold.

 

Honors and Awards:

 

Moonbeam Children’s Book Award, Silver

 

WHY READ THIS BOOK?

 

When a bear begins to raid yards, a boy figures out how to keep the bear where it belongs—in the woods.

 

Topic:

 

Humans encroaching on wildlife habitats.

 

Problem:

 

A bear in your backyard.

Weight	1 lbs
Dimensions	9 x 10.00 x 1.016 in
Pages	32
Illustrator	Rebekah Raye
ISBN	9780884483144
Format	Hardcover
Author	Rebekah Raye

“The magnificently rich rendering of a bear on the cover invites readers into the woods to witness the bear awakening in spring. The  artist’s affinity for the natural world emerges in the expressive, textured details of flora and fauna… it admirably confronts a problem not often addressed in children’s books.” -Patricia Austin, Booklist

 

“BEAR-LY THERE is a fascinating book for kids about how to react constructively when a bear moves into your back yard. Filled will beautiful paintings/illustrations of bear and other creatures of northern woods in their natural settings, BEAR-LY THERE is a book infused with a love of nature that is communicated directly to its young readers, through both the written word and visual appeal. BEAR-LY THERE also offers a number of practical suggestions to help humans and bears coexist peacefully and happily. Children will identify with the reactions of Charlie to the problem of how to deal with having a bear in your back yard. He makes a poster with six specific suggestions on it to help make human living areas not appealing or attractive to bears. The secret to what to do if you have a bear in your backyard is to realize the bear isn’t the problem – you are! BEAR-LY THERE is a wonderful resource book for children in grade 3-6.” -Midwest Book Review Children’s Bookwatch, December 2009

Rebekah Raye is an artist beloved for her bird and animal paintings and sculpture. Her warm, expressive work is derived from her affinity with the natural world around her at her studio and home in East Blue Hill, Maine (where she had a bear visitor not too long ago). She illustrated Thanks to the Animals by Allen Sockabasin and is the author and illustrator of The Very Best Bed. Rebekah shares her love of art and her skills in workshops for adults and children and makes frequent school visits.