Moon Bear

by Brenda Z. Guiberson, Ed Young (Illustrator)

Overview

Moon Bear is a 2011 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Moon bears, or Asiatic black bears, are named for the white moon-shaped blaze on their chests. Moon bears are seldom seen but their footprints, claw marks, hair, and bear nests high in the trees give us clues about how they live. Sadly, there are now more moon bears in captivity than in the wild, as these animals are being "farmed" for their commercially valuable bile.

Brenda Guiberson's lyrical text and Ed Young's stunning illustrations combine in a winning tribute to this endangered species. Follow one moon bear in the wild as she eats, plays, hibernates, and wakes up again in spring.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781466811188
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	06/11/2013
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	62 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Brenda Z. Guiberson is the author of many books for children, including The Most Amazing Creature in the Sea, Life in the Boreal Forest, The Emperor Lays an Egg, and the best-selling Cactus Hotel. She lives near Seattle, Washington.

Ed Young is a Caldecott Medalist, a two-time Caldecott Honor Book artist, and has been twice nominated for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. He has illustrated many books for children, including Cat and Rat.

Editorial Reviews

Guiberson (Life in the Boreal Forest) uses lyrical call-and-response phrases to describe the endangered southeast Asian moon bear's activities, after she wakes from hibernation. “Who scratches the birch tree and licks oozing sap? Hungry moon bear, slurping sweetness after months without food.” Moon bear's dramatic shape—composed of inky-dark cut paper, with a striking, white chest blaze that gives the animal its name—contrasts against Young's (Hook) layered collages, which include photographic images of bark, bamboo, and forest floor. The moon bear marks its territory, eats (a lot), and sleeps, and as time passes, she prepares for hibernation once more; when she reawakens, she emerges a “Mama moon bear,” with cubs. Despite the dangers the bears face (an author's note features photographs of moon bears with information about farms in which thousands of them are kept), the text itself includes only a glancing mention of “poachers and loggers.” The book's subtlety—keeping the focus on the bear's peaceful everyday life, rather than the threats to its existence—is likely to inspire readers' compassion and concern. Ages 4-8. (May)

Publishers Weekly

All who read this delightful book will be enchanted by Ed Young's evocative illustrations and Brenda Guiberson's catchy prose. It will give children everywhere a chance to peek into the little known world of the moon bear. I urge you to buy it, and I hope you will do what you can to help this magnificent and highly endangered species.” —Jane Goodall

“A worthy effort highlighting a species in need.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“This is a beautiful book which I hope can spread awareness until every last bear is free.” —Olivia Newton-John

“Author Brenda Guiberson uses a call-and-response text to introduce young readers to an increasingly rare wild animal in Moon Bear. Dramatic cut-paper collage illustrations by Ed Young spotlight the beauty and playfulness of the moon bears.” —The Seattle Times

“Ms. Guiberson's soothing words, "blissful moon bear, feasting on juicy summer fruit" join with Young's gorgeous illustrations, shocking red raspberries against the bear's black fur, held by its sharp claws, to create a stunning view of the moon bears' world.” —Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Filled with passionate conservation messages, this picture book both celebrates the endangered black moon bear in Southeast Asia and warns about the urgent threats against the species. … Young's dramatic art lends itself to group sharing, and many kids will hear the author's final call.” —Booklist

“The young child will believe the bear is looking directly at them and will soon love moon bears. Young's compelling illustrations fill in what words can only suggest.” —Sacramento Book Review

“How fantastic to know that a percentage of the sales of Moon Bear will help those bears (and, hopefully, others to follow) live surrounded by loving care. They deserve no less. And that the children who read this story may be inspired to protect these carriers of such special crescent moons for years to come.” —Virginia McKenna, actress, Born Free

“This wonderful book lets you and your children share a year with the precious Asiatic Moon Bear. I commend Brenda Guiberson and Ed Young for collaborating on such a vital issue which is so close to my heart and shines a much-needed light on this beautiful but endangered animal. ” —Dr. Katrina Warren, host of Animal Planet's Housecat Housecall

“I knew nothing about moon bears or bear farms when I picked this book up. MOON BEAR is a book that, for young prereaders, will prove a delight at storytime. For older readers, the back matter will very possibly inspire research and lead to subsequent contemplation of the issues involved in the all-too-frequently inhumane exploitation of all God's critters.” —Richie's Picks

“Children will love this book with its stunning images and simple message – that we should value these bears as the majestic animals they were born to be, not because of what they can produce. I'm sure this charming tale will touch many children, instilling in them a love and respect of animals from a very early age.” —Karen Mok, singer and actress

From the Publisher

Gr 1–3—The endangered Moon Bear, or Asiatic black bear, is the subject of this call-and-response tale created in partnership with the Animals Asia Foundation. Readers follow one female bear as she wakes from hibernation, explores the seasons, and awakens the following spring with new cubs. The story focuses on simple actions such as eating raspberries and swatting insects, giving young readers an idea of how these elusive bears behave. Much of the time, collage illustrations closely reflect the text, but occasionally elements are left to the imagination. For example, the Moon Bear is said to be eating near a red panda that appears nowhere on the page. Collage illustrations are a good fit for showcasing the Moon Bear's markings and large round ears. The threat of poachers and loggers is touched upon, and an author's note with photos and a Web site lets readers know how they can help this animal. A worthy effort highlighting a species in need.—Lisa Glasscock, Columbine Public Library, Littleton, CO

School Library Journal

With a series of questions and haiku-like answers, Guiberson (Ice Bears, 2008) introduces young readers and listeners to bears from a far-off place. "Who plucks raspberries / and plops red scat in the tangle? Blissful moon bear, / feasting on juicy summer fruit." While much of her alliterative text focuses on the Asian Moon Bear's varied diet, the narrative covers a year in which one bear emerges in spring, forages uphill and down and hibernates again, producing cubs. Collages of textured papers, parts of photographs and varied backgrounds form the stylized illustrations. Some of the bear's white neck stripes form human silhouettes, and Young uses bear silhouettes in his endpapers. Though the art is impressive, some images are confusing, distracting from rather than supporting the text. A two-page author's note doesn't mention the bile industry directly but describes bears in cages and shows photographs of rescued bears happily playing at the Animals Asia Moon Bear Rescue Center in China. A website is included but not sources or additional information. Tempting but not nutritious. (Informational picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews