Little Bear and the Marco Polo

Since Else Holmelund Minarik's beloved Little Bear made his debut more than fifty years ago, generations of children have grown up with Little Bear by their side, delighting in his charming adventures and curious spirit.

Now Little Bear returns to the world of I Can Read in Little Bear and the Marco Polo--a story filled with imagination, warmth, and tender memories that Grandfather shares with Little Bear.

Author Notes

Else Holmelund Minarik was born in Denmark on September 13, 1920. When she was four years old, she immigrated to the United States with her family. She received a B.A. from Queens College in 1942. She worked as reporter for the Daily Sentinel before becoming a first grade teacher and recognized the need for children's books with simple words. Her first book, Little Bear, was published in 1957 with illustrations by Maurice Sendak. She wrote over 40 children's books during her lifetime including No Fighting, No Biting!, Little Bear's Visit, The Little Giant Girl and the Elf Boy, A Kiss for Little Bear, Percy and the Five Houses, and Little Bear and the Marco Polo. She died of complications from a recent heart attack on July 12, 2012 at the age of 91.

(Bowker Author Biography)

Reviews (1)

School Library Journal Review

K-Gr 1-In the first book, Little Bear's grandfather is cleaning his attic, and the activity provides both a teaching moment and an opportunity to explore the contents of his sea chest. Little Bear learns about the Marco Polo, and, caught up in the moment, the two share an imaginary trip in the boat, followed by a visit to the nearby docked vessel. Water-washed ink drawings display a series of family vignettes and Little Bear's activities while appropriate simple sentences and childlike questioning keep the pages turning. The two travel around the world through their imaginations, visiting a polar bear, panda, and koala "bear." In the second book, the uncomplicated, practical soul introduced in Detective Dinosaur (1996) and Detective Dinosaur Lost and Found (1998, both HarperCollins) returns in a trio of investigations. As he follows instructions literally, "undercover work" translates to wearing layers of clothes, mysterious blobs under his naptime blanket terrify the Detective, and sunny skies bring an unexpected, puzzling dousing. The dino's genial expressions projected in colorful pen-and-ink and watercolor cartoons follow the action. Conversation and onomatopoeia spice up the text, presented in large font. The good detective always ends a chapter "Case Closed." His innocent confusion creates entertaining problems with simple solutions. Solid additions to easy-reader collections.-Mary Elam, Learning Media Services Plano ISD, TX (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Reviews (1)

School Library Journal Review