Sometimes We Fall

by Randall de Sève, Kate Gardiner (Illustrator)

Overview

Baby Bear wants to climb a tree and eat delicious plums with Mama Bear but is overcome with a progression of worrisome possibilities, until Mama Bear gently reassures Baby Bear about the importance of taking risks.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593645499
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	08/06/2024
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 11.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD570L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Randall de Sève is the New York Times bestselling author of award-winning picture books that have been translated into many languages worldwide. Randall uses her years of being a teacher to explore issues that children deal with daily. All of her stories spring from real-life experiences, then take shape in her imagination.

Author Site: randalldeseve.com Social: @randallde

Kate Gardiner is a New England based illustrator. Kate often finds herself inspired by quiet scenes of nature, finding beauty in moments of rest. She aims to capture the calm of these moments through her illustrations, often gaining inspiration through her mixed heritage, as a member of the Chaubunagungamaug band of Nipmuck Indians as well as the traditions of her Polish roots.

Illustrator Site: kategardinerillustration.com Social: @kategardinerillustration

Editorial Reviews

★ 2024-05-04
A mama and baby bear demonstrate the importance of trying despite the possibility of failure.

A mama bear is nestled high up in the branches of a tree, munching on a juicy purple plum. From below, the baby looks up at her longingly, worried about scratched paws and bumped noses; mostly, this little one is afraid of tumbling to the ground. Ultimately, the baby bear does fall, “which happens sometimes. And it’s okay.” Sound life truths. De Sève expertly depicts the mama bear as a loving caregiver who, with wisdom and encouragement, guides the baby bear from above, though she allows the little one the freedom to make mistakes and even get a bit roughed up along the way. And what follows is a tasty reward: The baby bear obtains its purple plum. Gardiner’s illustrations mirror the text’s soft elegance with a muted palette full of tans, lavenders, and deep browns. The bears are simply drawn but expressive. Feelings of longing and anxiety are palpable in a close-up of the baby bear’s face, its ears back as it begins to climb. What a lovely story of parenting and childhood, of paving the way without smoothing it.

A meaningful and tender tale of learning through experience. (Picture book. 3-5)

Kirkus Reviews

"Gardiner’s pared-down gouache and colored-pencil art casts a soothing spell.” —The New York Times

★ "What a lovely story of parenting and childhood, of paving the way without smoothing it. A meaningful and tender tale of learning through experience." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "[A] reassuring picture book about learning to take risks." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

From the Publisher