Glad, Glad Bear!

by Kimberly Gee, Kimberly Gee (Illustrator)

Overview

Bear is very, very, very GLAD today! He’s taking his first ballet class. But he’s a little nervous too. This sweet and silly picture book is an honest exploration of feelings that little ones—and grown-ups!—are sure to relate to.

Bear is so excited that today is dance day! He has his new leggings, slippers, and tutu, and he is ready to go. But when he gets there, he feels a little shy, a little unsure, and even a little afraid. What can make him feel better? Dancing, of course!

This charming companion to Mad, Mad Bear is a celebration of how stepping out and doing the things we love makes us feel happy...even if we are a little apprehensive at first!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781534452695
Publisher:	Beach Lane Books
Publication date:	02/18/2020
Series:	Bear's Feelings
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.20(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD280L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Kimberly Gee grew up in Lakewood, New Jersey, and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from California State University, Long Beach. Prior to delving into her life-long dream of writing and illustrating children’s books, Kimberly parlayed her creative talents into a successful career in architectural design, illustration, and greeting card design and production. Kimberly currently resides in Claremont, California. She has two young children, Finn and Claire, who are her inspiration (and her models). Visit her at KimberlyGee.com.

Kimberly Gee grew up in Lakewood, New Jersey, and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from California State University, Long Beach. Prior to delving into her life-long dream of writing and illustrating children’s books, Kimberly parlayed her creative talents into a successful career in architectural design, illustration, and greeting card design and production. Kimberly currently resides in Claremont, California. She has two young children, Finn and Claire, who are her inspiration (and her models). Visit her at KimberlyGee.com.

Editorial Reviews

★ 2019-10-09
Gee's Mad, Mad Bear (2018) returns, continuing to adjust to and embrace his feelings as he explores music and dance.

It's a new day, and little brown Bear is very glad because he has new leggings, dance slippers, and a tutu. Eager to wear it all, he and his parent bear head out for ballet class. But on arrival, Bear sees everyone else in class and begins to feel unsure about himself; at first he's "a little shy," then "a little afraid," and even feeling "a little different." The music he hears helps to change his attitude, and, emboldened, he begins "to feel light. / And bubbly. / And twirly," until he is dancing freely with everyone. Expressive, black-outlined drawings colored in muted tones make an endearing, uncomplicated, clear-cut accompaniment to the minimal text, working with it to evoke the emotional aspects of the little one's experience. Whether he is uneasy about participating because he is new or self-conscious of his gender presentation (four of the other students wear tutus; one wears only leggings) is never addressed, leaving this text open to interpretation and discussion. What is clear is that his nonstereotypical gender presentation is celebrated and affirmed. A star sticker from the teacher for his participation leaves Bear "very glad" he joined the class, where he has also made a new friend—a bespectacled, darker-furred bear.

A positive, contemporary view of individuality and nonjudgmental acceptance. (Picture book. 3-5)

Kirkus Reviews