Four Bears in a Box

Well, it has taken me longer than I had planned to review this book “Four Bears in a Box.” As I sat down to write my opinion, I started thinking that I had waited way too long to do it justice with my book review. What else could I possibly say that has not already been said by so many others and so eloquently at that? I have shared the many posts that I have read on Facebook – each one a superb review. I was beginning to wonder if there was anything else at all that I could possibly offer because everything I have read has been nothing short of praise for this children’s book written by my friend Dreama Denver. First, I began thinking about the book itself becoming a reality for Dreama. What a joy it was to see the love upon her sweet face as she talked about her husband Bob and their son Colin and her first children’s book being published twenty years after it was first written! Last October, she and my husband James Woody, along with another of our mutual friends Christine Nash Distelhorst, were having lunch with Dreama when the three of us were first introduced to “Four Bears in a Box,” or at least its inception and some of the artwork she had just received on her cell phone. I remember how excited she was to share her news with us, and the three of us were thrilled to be let in on her newly revised children’s book ready for publication! During that time, she shared with us the story about how it came to be. What a beautiful story it is! Those details are included on the very last page of the book under “The Story Behind the Story,” and they have been included in many of the other book reviews that have been shared. Personally, I really like the fact that the story of its inception is included in the book, along with the original pencil sketches by Dreama’s husband Bob, and how he envisioned the bears to look. Those bear sketches are the first things you will see as you open the book, and the last as you close it when you have finished reading it. Then, the illustrator Ashley Belote has included some sweet little references to Gilligan, as in “Gilligan’s Island,” in her artwork. All of these things make for such sweet additions to the book. Basically, the storyline follows three little bears who have nothing to do, and they are quite bored, until a surprise from their mother is received after completing some chores. (Perhaps, some of you and the children in your lives may have experienced boredom over the last several months during our stay-at-home, stay safe, self-quarantine experiences.) Anyway, after helping their mother, she has a surprise for her three children waiting for them in the garage…their very best friend and a brown cardboard box that becomes whatever they wish it to be! ANYTHING! Let their creative imaginations begin! A cardboard box is often loved by children; sometimes, they enjoy it more than what is found inside of the box. Just recently I was looking through some older photograph albums where I found my daughter at the age of two and a half playing in a box in the middle of our kitchen floor some thirty-five years ago. I had actually forgotten about them until I ran across the photos one evening. I only share that because a cardboard box is timeless! Secondly, I love the book itself. I started thinking about it. The hard book format, its beautiful colors, its smooth texture, and its size are great for little hands to help hold while you sit and read to them. It is roughly eight and a half inches by eleven inches in size. There is no book jacket to easily be torn, and it has a matte finish that is just beautiful to the touch. Not long ago, I had the pleasure of holding my nine month old granddaughter and reading this book to her. She sat in my lap while I read, sitting so still and being so quite the entire time I read to her. She would take her little hands and place them on the pages or on the edge of the book itself while I turned the pages as I read. Just melted my heart. ❤️❤️❤️�� Thirdly, as a former teacher, I thought about how this wonderful book could be used in the classroom when teaching students various styles of writing as well as various elements of writing. I was always looking for wonderful books to expose my students to in my classroom. I would share with my students multiple examples of writing in published pieces. This book would definitely be a book I would read to my middle school students if I were still teaching. If you are a parent or a grandparent, I highly recommend this book. Your children and grandchildren will love it, and without a doubt, you will enjoy reading it to them. If you are a teacher, I would definitely recommend you having this book in your classroom. Children will love it! Last, but not least, school librarians, put it on your list to purchase for your school’s library! You will not regret it. The book “Four Bears in a Box” can be purchased through various venues, but if you would like to have it personalized and autographed, contact Dreama at BobDenver.com Lastly, “Four Bears in a Box” was awarded the “Mom’s Choice Awards.” It’s already an award winning book. I would not be surprised if more awards are on their way for this book. As a person who absolutely loves to read, who loves to own the books I have read and enjoyed, and who loves to build my home library, I absolutely LOVE this book! It’s a welcomed addition to my personal library! Perhaps, the greatest compliment I am able to give “Four Bears in a Box” is to say it is Caldecott Medal worry in my opinion! Would that not be wonderful!!! ❤️❤️❤️