Jesse Bear
``We often called our son 'Jesse Bear,' and the book began as a little song I sang while dressing him. I received the call from an editor for this, my first accepted manuscript, on the day we were celebrating our son Jesse's second birthday. After hanging up the phone I jumped really high in the air, greatly surprising my visiting mother-in-law.``
Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?
The Story
What does a little bear wear while he romps through a bright and sunny day? In the morning, his pants that dance, and the sun on his legs that run. At lunchtime, celery crunch and sprouts in a bunch, and juice from a pear and rice in his hair. And at night, his pjs with feet and face on the seat, and sleep in his eyes and stars in the skies, as he dreams of the fun he’ll have tomorrow.
Reviews
“…the rhymes, besides having a charming lilt to them, are clean and catchy and beg to be recited.” — School Library Journal
“…without crossing the line into sentimentality, this offers a happy, humorous soundfest that will associate reading aloud with a sense of play.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Awards
A Booklist Editors’ Choice
Children’s Choice
International Reading Association/Children’s Book Council
Parents’ Magazine 50 Best Children’s Books
Where is Christmas, Jesse Bear?
The Story
Jesse Bear is looking for Christmas. And he finds it everywhere — when trimming the tree, baking cookies, and going ice-skating in the park. But Jesse Bear feels Christmas most of all when he’s with his family on Christmas Eve, and tucked in his bed waiting for Santa!
Review
“Jesse Bear doesn’t just welcome Christmas here. He smells it, hears it, sees it move and touches it.” — New York Times Review
Climb the Family Tree, Jesse Bear!
The Story
At his family reunion, Jesse Bear visits with aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins galore. Readers will love being introduced to this lively extended family, and they will celebrate with Jesse bear when he is finally old enough to do something very special.
Reviews
“Carlstrom’s breezy, bouncy rhymes describe all of the tastes, smells, and sights of an active and loving family get-together.” — School Library Journal
“Rhyming couplets keep the story moving along quickly from one happy scene to the next…” — Booklist
illustrated by Bruce Degen
Other Jesse Bear Books
Reviews | |
 | "The lilting, strongly rhymed text and the warm loving drawings are every bit as appealing as those in the first Jesse Bear book." - Publishers' Weekly |
 | "Children are sure to enjoy these lively verses and the pictures of Jesse Bear's very pleasant life." - School Library Journal |
 | "This team does a fine job of combining the seasonal theme with a pleasing portrait of familial love, all wrapped up in snappy verse |
 | ". . . Carlstrom's bouncy, rhyming text and Degen's bright watercolors are perfectly tuned to the humor and sensibilities of their audience." - Publishers's Weekly |
 | "In this sixth book about that appealing toddler bear and his good-natured parents, Jesse is learning to count. Youngsters can keep track of the various things he observes." - New York Times Book Review |
 | "...brief rhyming story is excellent preparation for young children who may be trick-or-treating for the first time...brightly colored pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations are filled with happy faces, showing that Halloween is a time for fun, not frights." - School Library Journal |
 | "Jesse Bear gets a visit from an older cousin. While he is at first less than thrilled, he's soon learning how to skate and spell, and by the time her week's visit is over they can't bear to be parted." - Publishers' Weekly |
illustrated by Bruce Degen
Jesse Bear Board Books
Titles | Year |
Jesse Bear's Tum Tum Tickle | 1994 |
Jesse Bear's Tra-La Tub | 1994 |
Jesse Bear's Wiggle-Jiggle Jump-Up | 1994 |
Jesse Bear's Yum-Yum Crumble | 1994 |
I Love You Mama, Any Time of Year | 1997 |
I Love You Papa, in All Kinds of Weather | 1997 |
Hooray for Me, Hooray for You Hooray for Blue: Jesse Bear's Colors | 1997 |
Bizz, Buzz Chug-a-Chug: Jesse Bear's Sounds | 1997 |
The eight Jesse Bear Board Books are out of print but sometimes can be found at used bookstores and/or through Amazon.
