Cute counting book, and someone gets eaten! Hooray! ( )

ONE VERY BIG BEAR is a really cute book that teaches counting and addition in a fun way. The illustrations are simple with only three colors, but the are appealing and effective. I enjoyed the funny little twist at the end and I believe young children would too. ( )

One very big bear imagines that he is the most massive creature around in this entertaining counting book from France, until he is confronted by a series of animals who demonstrate that in pairs or groupings - two walruses, three foxes, four sea lions - they are just as large. The bear reaches the end of his patience with the sardines however, gobbling them up rather than considering their size claims...

Originally published in French as 1,2,3 banquise, this engaging counting book also demonstrates the relativity of concepts such as large and small, how their definitions change depending upon what is being compared. The third book I have read from author Alice Brière-Haquet, and the first that I have truly enjoyed - the English editions of both Peter and the Moon and Zebedee's Balloon were marred by poor translations - One Very Big Bear boasts both an interesting text, concpet-wise, with an unexpectedly amusing ending, and appealing stylized artwork by Olivier Philipponneau and Raphaële Enjary. Recommended to anyone looking for concept books with a sense of humor and a surprise, Jon Klassen-style ending. ( )