Guide to categories: Kid Review – review of books for elementary-aged and younger children

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​Book Title:  What Bear Said about Life, Love, and Other Stuff by Jack Wiens
Category:  Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7),  98 pages
Genre: Juvenile fiction/picture book/values & virtues
Publisher: Torchflame Books
Release date:  October 15, 2024
Content Rating: G. Specifically for children.

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.

My Kid Review

Wiens, Jack. What Bear Said about life, love, & other stuff. Vista, CA: Torchflame Books, 2024.

What Bear Said contains a lot of wisdom. The short stories cover topics such as forgiveness, being present, honesty, grief, prejudice, and more. These are deep topics for adults, yet this book is meant for younger children. I recommend this book be read together—parent and child—in small snippets with time to discuss the topics covered. These are not topics a child should be left to grapple with alone. Author Jack Wiens gives parents the perfect springboard for discussing these topics. 

In the stories, Bear takes on the role of a teaching adult. Because he is an animal, the story doesn’t seem as “preachy” or didactic as it would if a child were interacting with an adult.

Wiens is also the illustrator of What Bear Said. His illustrations resembled those of Ernest Shepherd, who illustrated Winnie the Pooh. 

While there is nothing to keep What Bear Said out of a K-12 Christian school library, it is best for a situation where an adult and child will read the book together. 

I received a complimentary copy of What Bear Said. This is my honest review. 

About the Author – Jack Wiens

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.

connect with the author: website 

WHAT BEAR SAID ABOUT LIFE LOVE AND OTHER STUFF Book Tour Giveaway

 

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