Again! - Softcover

John Prater

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0099456745 ISBN 13: 9780099456742

Publisher: Random House Children's Books, 2003

Synopsis

One warm sunny day a little voice says, "Play with me," and Grandbear wakes up to entertain Baby Bear. Whatever activity they choose, Baby Bear never tires of doing the same things over and over again, whether it's building with bricks or stamping and stomping on sandcastles. Eventually, Grandbear needs a lie down in his hammock, and snuggles up with Baby Bear to read a story. As Baby Bear hugs him it's Grandbear's turn to murmer, "Again, again..."

About this title

Review:

Baby Bear loves playing with his grandfather, Grandbear. They build a block tower and with a "CLATTER! CRASH!" Baby Bear knocks it over. "AGAIN!" says Baby Bear. Again and again, they build towers and Baby Bear knocks them down, until Grandbear, who is getting just a little tired of this game, suggests that they make a sandcastle. "STAMP! STOMP!" Baby Bear stamps it down. "AGAIN!"... again and again, until Grandbear nudges him over to the watering can to water the flowers... again and again and again. The ending is one of the most "awww-inspiring" moments in picture-book history.

John Prater's cuddly light brown Baby Bear has made adorable appearances in several other books, including The Bear Went over the Mountain and Number One, Tickle Your Tum. Parents and children alike will relate all too well to the classic dynamic between the young Baby Bear and his grandfather, and appreciate Grandbear's patient yet limited willingness to play the same games "AGAIN!" and again. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter

About the Author:

John Prater studied graphics at Brighton College of Art and went on to Reading University. He worked in advertising for several years before taking up teaching. He is married with two children and his wife. On Friday Something Funny Happened was runner-up for the 1983 Mother Goose Award which is presented annually to the most exciting newcomer to children's book illustration. Since then he has illustrated picture books with great success for both Walker Books and The Bodley Head, illustrating such memorable titles as The Kite and Caitlin, Timid Tim and the Cuggy Thief and the sequel Really Brave Tim as well as a number of irresistible bear books for the very young, The Bear went over the Mountain, Number One Tickle your Tum, Again, Oh Where, Oh Where Board Book, Walking Round the Garden Board Book and a Baby Bear Lift-the-Flap Book. John continues to work full time as an illustrator and lives with his family near Southampton.

About this edition

• Publisher: Random House Children's Books
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0099456745
• ISBN 13: 9780099456742
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32