Bear’s Winter Party

Bear’s Winter Party

Written by: Hodge, Deborah
Illustrated by: Cinar, Lisa
ages 7 and up / grades K and up

Bear loves his forest home, but sometimes he gets lonely. As the days grow shorter, Bear comes up with a festive plan to make friends.

Bear loves his forest home, but sometimes he gets lonely. It’s hard being the biggest animal around. As the days grow shorter and autumn turns to winter, Bear springs into action and comes up with a festive plan to make friends with all the other forest creatures.

Bear makes invitations for all the other forest animals, inviting them to a winter party in his den. He decorates his home and lights a roaring fire, and bakes delicious treats for the creatures he hopes will soon become his friends. But as the night grows dark, Bear worries that his forest neighbors may be too frightened to come. Just when he is about to give up hope, Bear spots Deer peeking out from behind a tree…

Written by award-winning author Deborah Hodge, Bear’s Winter Party is brought to life with exuberant illustrations by Lisa Cinar. Together they have created a story that is at once timeless, tender and true.

Includes a recipe for Bear’s own Honey Ginger Cookies.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3
With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.5
Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.6
Acknowledge differences in the points of view of characters, including by speaking in a different voice for each character when reading dialogue aloud.

Bear loves his forest home, but sometimes he gets lonely. As the days grow shorter, Bear comes up with a festive plan to make friends.

Bear loves his forest home, but sometimes he gets lonely. It’s hard being the biggest animal around. As the days grow shorter and autumn turns to winter, Bear springs into action and comes up with a festive plan to make friends with all the other forest creatures.

Bear makes invitations for all the other forest animals, inviting them to a winter party in his den. He decorates his home and lights a roaring fire, and bakes delicious treats for the creatures he hopes will soon become his friends. But as the night grows dark, Bear worries that his forest neighbors may be too frightened to come. Just when he is about to give up hope, Bear spots Deer peeking out from behind a tree…

Written by award-winning author Deborah Hodge, Bear’s Winter Party is brought to life with exuberant illustrations by Lisa Cinar. Together they have created a story that is at once timeless, tender and true.

Includes a recipe for Bear’s own Honey Ginger Cookies.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3
With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.5
Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.6
Acknowledge differences in the points of view of characters, including by speaking in a different voice for each character when reading dialogue aloud.

Published By Groundwood Books Ltd — Sep 1, 2016
Specifications 32 pages | 10.5 in x 8.5 in
Supporting Resources
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Teacher's Guide
Written By

DEBORAH HODGE  is the author of more than thirty books for children. Her awards include the Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada’s Information Book Award, the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature and the honor book distinction for the National Jewish Book Award for Children’s Literature. Her work has also appeared on such lists as ALA’s Top Ten Best Environmental Books for Youth. Deborah is a former teacher and curriculum writer who lives in Vancouver, BC.

Illustrated by

LISA CINAR is an educator and the author and illustrator of two picture books, The Day It All Blew Away, nominated for the Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize, and Paulina P. (for Petersen). She also illustrated Bear’s Winter Party by Deborah Hodge and is the creator of Draw Me a Lion, a line of cards, prints and coloring accessories. She lives in Vancouver.

Written By

DEBORAH HODGE  is the author of more than thirty books for children. Her awards include the Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada’s Information Book Award, the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature and the honor book distinction for the National Jewish Book Award for Children’s Literature. Her work has also appeared on such lists as ALA’s Top Ten Best Environmental Books for Youth. Deborah is a former teacher and curriculum writer who lives in Vancouver, BC.

Illustrated by

LISA CINAR is an educator and the author and illustrator of two picture books, The Day It All Blew Away, nominated for the Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize, and Paulina P. (for Petersen). She also illustrated Bear’s Winter Party by Deborah Hodge and is the creator of Draw Me a Lion, a line of cards, prints and coloring accessories. She lives in Vancouver.

Commended, Vancouver Public Library and BC CWILL Reading Lights, 2018

“Inventive and appealing watercolors and the chatty yet straightforward text combine nicely … A solid choice on how to overcome isolation and learn to make friends.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The stylized watercolor and pencil illustrations are beautiful … this is a worthwhile seasonal selection with an emphasis on friendship.” —School Library Journal

“Lisa Cinar's soft watercolour and pencil crayon illustrations illuminate Bear's emotions and help young readers to understand the book itself is a recipe for friendship.” —Canadian Children's Book News