The Bear Went Over the Mountain

March 15, 2012
Seasons and senses and bears, oh my! In a refreshing spin on an old sing-along favorite, Trapani's bear doesn't go over the mountain just to see what he can see, but to hear, touch, smell and taste as well. His sensory adventures are humorously cut short when he sees a mama duck nipping and chasing him away, hears a snake hissing in his ear, smells a skunk spraying, feels a porcupine's quills and has his taste of sweet honey interrupted by a swarm of buzzing bees. Verse by verse, the song's text introduces the five senses while art depicts the (mis)adventures and also provides a visual representation of the progression of the seasons. By book's end, winter has arrived, and Bear retreats over the mountain again to his den, leaving readers with the satisfying ending: "And now the bear is snoring, / Snugly in his den." In case readers are unaware of the tune to the song, backmatter provides the score and verses all on a single page. Throughout, the colorful paintings of the subtly anthropomorphized bear frolicking in his woodland mountain habitat will engage young readers and singers. A fine addition to the storytime shelf. (Picture book. 1-4)

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July 1, 2012
This fresh twist on the traditional song brings the seasons to life by engaging all five senses as the bear experiences nature throughout the year. The text is placed to good effect, with the conclusion of the stanza after a double-page spread turn. Trapani's watercolor illustrations deftly depict the vibrant colors of the seasons. Music is included at the back.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

May 1, 2012

PreS-Gr 2-As she has done with other traditional songs and rhymes, Trapani expands on a bear's trip over the mountain, relating his expedition over four seasons as he encounters his environment through his five senses. Each section begins with the thrice repeated, "The bear went over the mountain," with a change in the fourth line to reflect the sense highlighted: "To smell what he could smell," "touch what he could touch," etc. While he enjoys the delights of each season, beginning with spring and ending in his cozy den as winter approaches, the bear experiences difficulties as well. For example, he loves the plants and grubs he tastes in summer but is chased by bees when he tries to taste their honey. The rhyming text introduces fine vocabulary. The bear savors "spicy pines," "tangy shrubs," "moldy leaves," and "minty grasses" and meets a minnow that is "slick and shiny." The large, full-color paintings, many of them spreads, clearly depict many aspects of each season and are suitable for group viewing. This is a good vehicle for discussing the seasons, with their flora and fauna, as well as the five senses. The text also suggests counting the creatures bear meets as he begins his journey. Back matter contains musical notation and verses.-Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT

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