The Bear Went over the Mountain (Bunny Reads Back)

Rating:
Summary: A cute but ultra-simple book bordering on boring.
Review: As with Rosemary Wells' other books, this one is charmingly illustrated. The bear who wants to go over the mountain is terribly cute, especially as he says goodbye to his mama before departing. However, the book is so simple that it didn't engage my 2-year-old, who loves the many other Wells books we have. The repetitive song essentially has just three lines. And, unlike other Wells books, the illustrations don't vary that much from page to page. The "Read to Your Bunny" book that kicked off this series was much more engaging, providing pleasant word and picture variations on a theme.

Rating:
Summary: The Bear Went Over the Mountain
Review: Excellent first book--both to read to your toddler and for early literacy. I use this book with my Kindergarten classes who are just beginning to decode text for themselves. Knowing the song, (not always exactly the same as the printed text), gives emerging readers confidence with a new experience. This book, along with Rosemary Wells' "Bingo", are the very first reading experience my students have with my "Songs to Read" program at school.

Rating:
Summary: A good book for squirmy little ones
Review: My one year old really likes this book & has liked it since he was really little (like 6 months or so). He likes for you to sing it to him & he likes to sit & "sing" it to himself. As always, Ms. Wells' illustrations are perfect. It's a nice way to start reading with a squirmy child because the song is already familiar. I would recommend the whole series of Bunny Reads Back.