Children’s Book Review: Bear’s Big Idea by Sandra Nickel

BEAR’S BIG IDEA
By: Sandra Nickel
Illustrated by: Il Sung Na
Published: September 10, 2024
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
Fiction

The friendship between Bear and Fish has blossomed into a second book. This unlikely friendship is back with Fish sharing ideas with Bear about all kinds of things they should do. This friendship story also shares how worry can take over your brain, how having an imagination can be your best idea ever, and how a friend will always be there for you forever and always.

After four days of doing all the things Fish wanted to do like climbing the tallest tree or splashing in all the puddles, Fish tells Bear that it is his turn to choose the next day’s activity. Fish is confident that Bear will have a great idea, but Bear isn’t so sure. He can’t think of a Big Idea for tomorrow and begins to worry.

After a night of worrying and a frantic morning of running around outside trying to come up with an idea, Bear’s imagination takes over and Bear and Fish end up having the best day ever. Part of Bear’s worrying isn’t just about not coming up with an idea but that he will lose his friend, Fish if he doesn’t have something fun planned. Fish reassures Bear that their friendship will last forever and as long as they are together, they will have fun.

I love the illustrations of Bear trying to keep Fish safe in her fishbowl while they are climbing trees or sledding down a hill. Bear and Fish are the sweetest friends. They remind kids to have fun and that it doesn’t matter what you are doing with your friends, just spending time together is the best idea ever!

Check out the book trailer:

Sandra Nickel is the author of picture book biographies about the inventor of nachos (Nacho’s Nachos), the discoverer of dark matter (The Stuff Between the Stars), and the first woman meteorologist (Breaking Through the Clouds). She is the winner of a Christopher Award,  the winner of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators Crystal Kite Award, a finalist for the Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction for Younger Readers, a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection honoree, and a Charlotte Huck Award Recommended author. Sandra has an MFA in writing for children and young adults and has presented workshops on writing for children and young adults throughout Europe and the United States. When at home in Switzerland, Sandra loves summer sledding, sploshing in puddles, and listening for ideas in the wind. To learn more about Sandra, and to download free curriculum materials and activity sheets, visit https://sandranickel.com/.

Il Sung Na was born in Seoul, South Korea. He writes and illustrates picture books, including A Book of Sleep and The Dreamer, and he also illustrates the work of other authors, such as My Tree by Hope Lim and Beautiful Noise by Lisa Rogers. Currently based in Kansas City, Il Sung spends his time teaching illustration courses and working on new books.

To purchase a copy of BEAR’S BIG IDEA, click HERE.

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Other posts you might like:

Children’s Book Review: Big Bear and Little Fish by Sandra Nickel

Children’s Book Review: Breaking Through the Clouds by Sandra Nickel

Children’s Book Review: The Friendship Surprise by Giorgia Volpe

Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to make a purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.

Check out my review policy, HERE.