Perfect Picture Book Fridays: Gift-Bear for the King

Posted on March 23, 2012 by viviankirkfield

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday where I link up with Susannah Leonard Hill’s fantastic group of writers who contribute a picture book review and related resources.

Self-esteem has six basic components. Today’s picture book selection addresses all of them: Mastering tasks and skills, valuing one’s own strengths and qualities, feeling loved and appreciated, learning to express one’s feelings, acknowledging and coping with fears and accepting and loving oneself. I know that parents and teachers will enjoy the simple eco-friendly craft project at the end of my review.

The main character of the story loves singing and Wednesday’s guest post was from Daria, a talented musician who travels around the globe, sharing her passion for music with young children. I hope everyone will check out her post and visit her amazing websites! She provided us with several great musical instrument-making crafts and is giving away a wonderful poster that celebrates music around the world.

A Gift-Bear for the King

Written by Carl Memling

Illustrated by Lillian Hoban

Publishers: E.P. Dutton & Co (1966)

Ages: 2 – 8

Themes:

Mastering tasks and skills, dealing with disappointment, overcoming adversity, helping others, friendship

Opening:

“There was once an old man and an old woman who lived in a hut in the forest. They were very poor, but they had a little bear cub for a friend.”

Synopsis:

A very talented bear-cub is sent as a birthday gift for the king by a loving old couple. As the bear-cub travels to reach the king, he meets and helps many people. When he finally arrives at the palace, the king’s birthday is long over and the guards lock him up in the dungeon because he is so late. While in his prison cell, the bear-cub sings a sad and beautiful song about his travels. Will the bear-cub spend the rest of his days in the dungeon? Does the king ever find out about his special present? What will happen to the old couple?

Why do I like this book:

The foundations of our self-esteem are laid in the first five years of life…I love picture books that celebrate any of the six components that help a child develop a positive self-image…and this book addresses all six! Gift-Bear for the King was my oldest son’s favorite story…we both knew it by heart by the time he was four. Gift-Bear could sing, stand on his front paws and wash the dishes…he was always ready to help those in need. Young children will be singing along with the refrain before you turn the last page.

The illustrations, in Lillian Hoban’s inimitable style, are charming.

Related Activities:

There is a lovely crown craft activity here

There are quite a few crowns and other hat-making craft activities here.

There are excellent step-by-step crown-making instructions with photos here.

KING OR QUEEN FOR A DAY CROWN

The crown you help your child make can be as simple or as fancy as you like. The picture is from a kit you can buy from Oriental Trading Company. I included it to show you how ornate you can make the crown…but your child will enjoy wearing a simple one also.

You will need: Construction paper, buttons or sequins (optional) crayons or markers, glue, scissors.

1. Cut strips of construction paper and measure to fit your child’s head. Piece together with glue if necessary.

2. Cut a zig-zag along the top edge. You can make it fancy like the one above or just simple.

3. Let your child decorate with crayons and/or markers.

4. If you wish, add “jewels” cut from different colored construction paper…or buttons…or sequins. Glue into place and let dry.

5. Fit the decorated crown strip to your child’s head and glue the two ends together.

6. Important tip: Most of you are too young to remember one of the first “reality” shows, Queen for a Day, where an ordinary woman was featured and given prizes and made to feel very special. Perhaps your child can be Queen or King for a Day in your home…helping choose the dinner menu, picking the family game that will be played. Feeling loved, valued and appreciated is such an important element in building self-esteem…children who are confident are less likely to be victims of bullying.

This post is part of a series for parents and teachers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays hosted by Susannah Leonard Hill. Click on her link and find lots of other picture book suggestions with summaries and activities.

48 thoughts on “Perfect Picture Book Fridays: Gift-Bear for the King”

Robyn Campbell on March 23, 2012 at 4:57 am said:

The King and Queen for a day crowns are precious! And fun to make. This story sounds utterly delightful! The dungeon sounds dreadful. I sure hope he is freed. I love books that our kids memorize because we read them so much. Thanks for adding it to the list!

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 12:38 am said:
  
  Thanks, Robyn! Glad you liked it.:) The crowns are super simple…and we all like to be king or queen for a day, right? 🙂
  
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Jenny (@sippychronicles) on March 23, 2012 at 5:42 am said:

Thanks so much for linking up with favorite thing this week. I absolutely love how you always include projects to do with the books you suggest. Thanks so much for sharing! I think I am going to get this book for my girls!

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 12:45 am said:
  
  I hope “picture books” was an acceptable “favorite things”…they are definitely one of mine. 🙂
  I’m happy you liked this book review and craft! If you want to get a copy of Gift Bear for the King, try the library or used bookstores…or half.com or Amazon. 🙂 This book is just one of the 100 I recommend in my parenting/activity book. Do you know about the 2012 PPP Reading Challenge and prize every month? If a parent or teacher posts a comment on my blog about what books they are reading with their children, they might win a new picture book…one lucky winner every month!!!! You can just add the comment on any March post…or click on the Positive Parental Participation logo on the right sidebar and it will bring you to the “official” comment page for March. 🙂 I’d love it if you would spread the word to the moms you know…the more, the merrier!
  
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Catherine Johnson on March 23, 2012 at 11:09 am said:

My book is on the same subject today, how nice! I must read go back and read that interview and love your craft ideas. I think I’ll see if my kids want to be King and Queen for the day. I bet they do 🙂

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 1:47 am said:
  
  Thank you, Catherine…I loved your selection…”It’s Me” and will try to get a copy to use in my school programs! Glad you liked “A Gift Bear for the King”.
  Hope you enjoy the guest post with Daria…what fantastic musical instrument crafts she provided. 🙂
  And yes, kids love to be queen and king for a day!!!
  
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Stacy S. Jensen on March 23, 2012 at 11:23 am said:

Gift Bear seems like the perfect bear. The dungeon — not so much. I’ll see if I can find this one for my son.

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 1:48 am said:
  
  Oh yes, Stacy…you will love it…and I think Enzo will also! As I said in the post, this book was my oldest son’s FAVORITE book…I’m sure we read it 100’s of times. 🙂
  
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thiskidreviewsbooks on March 23, 2012 at 11:34 am said:

Seems like great book and activity! I’ll have to check out the book and try the activity!
Erik 🙂

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 1:50 am said:
  
  Thank you, Erik! I don’t know how old your younger sister is…maybe you can help her make a crown! It’s a really lovely story…I almost wish someone would give me a gift bear for a present…he washes dishes and sings lovely songs. 🙂
  
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clarbojahn on March 23, 2012 at 1:04 pm said:

Sounds great! I think self esteem is super important, too.

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 1:52 am said:
  
  Glad you liked it, Clar! Yes, self-esteem is so important in our lives…if we have a positive self-image, we usually accept new challenges eagerly. Kids with low self-esteem find life much more difficult…like climbing a steep hill that is full of scree 😦
  
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Kirsten Larson on March 23, 2012 at 2:05 pm said:

Vivian, I love your recommendations because I learn so much. I hadn’t heard of the six components of self esteem. Thanks for offering such great information along with your reviews.

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 4:16 am said:
  
  You are so welcome, Kirsten! I’m so passionate about trying to help kids build true self-esteem…I almost can’t help myself from taking EVERY opportunity to connect building self-esteem to whatever I am doing. 🙂
  I’m sure my six components aren’t the only elements that contribute to a positive self-image…but they are the ones I addressed in my book and I think that if a child masters tasks and skills, feels appreciated and valued, etc…that child will have high self-esteem!
  
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Penny Klostermann on March 23, 2012 at 2:31 pm said:

Great review. I love the crown activities.

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 4:17 am said:
  
  Glad you liked it, Penny! Kids love to make hats…and the crowns are really simple to do. 🙂
  
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Spanish Pinay on March 23, 2012 at 3:44 pm said:

I love this craft idea! You know, you do have a knack on finding and describing books really well. I just wish that many of these books are available in our local… but no. Then again, I can still try my luck on amazon and check if they ship here 🙂

Spanish Pinay

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 4:21 am said:
  
  Thank you for your kind words, SP 🙂
  I guess we are spoiled here in the US, with Amazon and half.com and ebay…and very reasonable shipping if you are in the continental US. I know it is quite expensive to ship outside the continental US…I’ve shipped my book to Canada and India…and will be sending a copy to Singapore next week. Is there any European outlet like Amazon where the shipping would be more reasonable for you?
  
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Amy Dixon on March 23, 2012 at 4:13 pm said:

Lillian Hoban’s illustrations really take me back to my childhood. Bread and Jam for Frances was my absolute favorite growing up. I haven’t seen this one before but would love to check it out. Thanks, Vivian!

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 4:27 am said:
  
  Oh yes, Amy! Bread and Jam for Frances…I didn’t include it in my recommended hundred picture books in Show Me How because I intend to do a couple of “sequels” and one of them will focus on building relationships…sibling rivalry, friendship, bullying/teasing…so I was saving that gem. 🙂 But I love that story!!!!
  Gift Bear is from 1966…the year before I got married and started teaching kindergarten…you can’t know how sorry I am that I didn’t pursue the picture book writing path also. I dabbled and wrote…and most got lost along the way…but maybe I’ll write better stuff now. 🙂
  
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Patricia Tilton on March 23, 2012 at 4:38 pm said:

You really are creative with your crafts — you must have grown up crafting. I love the activity with this book. Such a beautiful book and I want to know what happens. A singing, loving bear must capture some hearts. Love this! Thanks for sharing.

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 4:31 am said:
  
  Thank you, Pat! I do love crafting…I can remember sitting at the kitchen table with my mom, working on a diorama made from a shoe box. My mom had been a nursery school teacher before she got married and she was a “stay at home mom” and loved to do crafty stuff with me and my sister.
  Hope you get a copy to read…and yes, he did make so many friends along the way. 🙂
  
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Loni Edwards (@LoniEdwards) on March 23, 2012 at 6:55 pm said:

I like your idea of queen or king for a day! This looks like a fun book. I am all for those books that help develop a positive self image. Thanks so much for adding it to the list!

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 5:08 am said:
  
  Thank you, Loni! Kids do love to feel special…and it is so important for us to encourage that feeling in them…not an “arrogant conceited I’m better than everyone else” kind of special…but a “I’m a worthwhile individual who deserves love and respect” kind of special. 🙂
  Glad you liked the book. 🙂
  
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orples on March 23, 2012 at 7:48 pm said:

This does look like a cute book. It’s funny too, because we’ve been making crowns around here lately, right and left. Evidently, there are a few little princes in the neighborhood. 😉

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 4:32 am said:
  
  Kids do love crowns!!! Thanks for stopping by, Marcy…glad you liked the book and craft. 🙂 I need to get over to Jake’s site and see what he has planned for tomorrow’s Sunday Post. 🙂
  
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  - orples on March 25, 2012 at 5:01 am said:
    
    Jake’s challenge is “Light” and the weekly challenge is “Through” if you want to get a head start. 😉
    
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    - viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 5:05 am said:
      
      WOW! Thanks, Marcy…I will put my thinking cap on and see if the “Light” bulb goes off!
      
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      - orples on March 25, 2012 at 5:14 am said:
        
        I think it is supposed to come ‘ON’. 😉 Of course whatever works for you, works for me. 🙂
        
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        viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 5:18 am said:
        
        Hahahahaha! You are soooo funny…and, you know, I thought of that when I just posted it…but had already clicked “send”. 🙂 🙂
        
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Susanna Leonard Hill on March 23, 2012 at 8:39 pm said:

Wonderful-sounding book! Great activities! I love Lillian Hoban’s art. I will definitely have to check this one out. Thanks so much, Vivian, for another great addition to our list! 🙂

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 4:34 am said:
  
  You are so welcome, Susaana!
  Your resource list is growning and growning…doesn’t it amaze you how many brilliant books there are out there…older classics and new ones. 🙂
  
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Beth Stilborn on March 24, 2012 at 1:24 am said:

Delightful book — and great craft and activity suggestions! Thank you!

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 4:35 am said:
  
  Glad you liked it, Beth! I really look forward to Fridays because I love PPBF! I enjoy doing my post…and it’s so much fun to visit all the other blogs and read their reviews. 🙂
  
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jakesprinter on March 24, 2012 at 5:45 am said:

Excellent post for our kids again my friend. 🙂

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 4:36 am said:
  
  Thanks for stopping by, Jake! I need to hop over and see what’s happening for the Sunday Post. 🙂
  
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myragarcesbacsal on March 24, 2012 at 6:57 am said:

Hi Vivian, I do enjoy books with a musical theme – with unforgettable characters that children can grow old with. Two years back, we had a Picture Books that Sing theme over at GatheringBooks and we had a great deal of fun finding books based on songs: Chelsea Morning by Joni Mitchell and Forever Young by Bob Dylan among a few. I know that this one is a tad different but it has likewise caught my eye. Will check out our community libraries for a copy of this one.

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 4:39 am said:
  
  So happy you stopped by, Myra!
  Glad you liked the selection. 🙂
  A children’s book by Bob Dylan? That I MUST get my hands on…he is one of my most favorite musicians…the words of his songs are timely and timeless. 🙂
  I’m going to go over to GatheringBooks and make sure I am following your blog. 🙂
  
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Nate on March 25, 2012 at 5:06 am said:

My kid got fairly excited when she saw the pictures in this post. Might have to pick them up.

Nate-

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 5:20 am said:
  
  That is great, Nate! So happy you stopped by and commented! I’m following your blog now…excited to hear more about your amazing adventure! I hope you will come back again…every Friday, I review a picture book and provide a craft and other resources and link up with 2 dozen or more picture book writers and illustrators who do the same. What a great resource for your family. 🙂
  
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Grade ONEderful on March 25, 2012 at 7:28 am said:

I’ve never heard of this book, but it sounds lovely. Thanks for sharing!

Barbara
Grade ONEderful

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 8:43 am said:
  
  Hi Barbara,
  Glad you liked the choice…I love rediscovering these older classics and unearthing them for others. 🙂
  
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patientdreamer on March 25, 2012 at 10:32 am said:

Loved the book you picked for PPBF this week, it looks and sounds adorable. The bear cub looks so sweet nowonder he makes many friends along the way… thankyou for sharing Vivien.

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- viviankirkfield on March 25, 2012 at 11:01 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, Diane! Yes, Gift Bear is definitely a sweet and lovely character…almost always seeing the positive side of life and reaching out to help others all the time. 🙂
  
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