Title: What Bear Said about Life, Love, & Other Stuff | Author: Jack Wiens | Illustrator: Jack Wiens | Genre: Junior Fiction | Publisher: Torchflame Books | Publication Date: October 15, 2024
Book Description:
The boy has a lot of questions—hard ones about love, honesty, grief and loss, prejudice, forgiveness, why we are here, and more.
Bear’s wise answers are always offered with compassion and enthusiasm. The friendship between these two is deep, tender, and sometimes fun. Bear’s clear, common-sense philosophy of life is a welcome contrast to the complex world our children face today.
On the beautifully illustrated pages, you will also meet Jay, Raccoon, Badger, Elder Moose, and others who add to the fun and adventure.
Walk with Boy and Bear for a while in the woods and see what you might learn about life, love and other stuff.
This uplifting book will surely become a treasured collection of simple wisdom, inspiring rich, meaningful conversations between adults and children alike.
My Thoughts:
This charming children’s book is warm and comforting, just like a hug from a wise, kind grandparent. Boy and Bear are the best of friends that can talk about anything. As the boy asks questions about things that are bothering him — like moving away or starting at a new school — Bear shares advice and helps bring calm mindfulness to anxious situations or perspective to a problem that seems overwhelming. The unique format of this book, with lovely illustrations throughout the 98-page story, makes this a great read-aloud with plenty of opportunity for further discussion. What Bear Said puts a modern spin on a Winnie-the-Pooh premise creating a meaningful book of wisdom that can be turned to again and again.
Jack Wiens has illustrated over 40 children’s books and designed many book covers, a family magazine, curriculum materials and greeting cards. He has also exhibited his fine art in galleries and art shows in Colorado, Missouri and Oregon.
Jack earned a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and worked as a counselor for 34 years in private practice as well as in a hospital inpatient addictions program and mental health centers. He led many workshops on communication, relationships and self-care during his career as psychotherapist.
He lives in Ashland, Oregon, where he enjoys the natural beauty of nearby mountains, lakes and rivers, the creative energy of the community and good friendships. Besides hiking, biking and tennis, a favorite activity is exploring the Oregon coast and whale watching in Depoe Bay.
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Stephanie Ward 
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