Winner of a Benjamin Franklin Award and a perennial teacher's favorite, In the Company of Bears has already won a place for itself in children's literature. Many call it a child's first book of philosophy.
It was the favorite book of a teacher in La Jolla, California who had it read at her wedding and gave it as a gift to her bridesmaids and groomsmen. The first time someone came by my author’s table and told me that I simple dismissed it. Then another person told me she had been to a wedding in La Jolla where the book was read. Finally one day a woman came by, picked up the book, hugged it to her heart and told me ‘this is my favorite book. I even had it read at my wedding.”
When I asked her to explain further, the woman said, “I wanted my new family to be just like In the Company of Bears; where you’re always treated special and you never have to pretend because you are only seen and loved for just who you are.”
In this whimsical tale, wise and wonderful polar bears have discovered the secret of time, seeing all things exactly and precisely as they are: "To a BEAR, a kettle's a kettle. To a BEAR, a pot is a pot. Bears never call anything something that anything is not." The bears remind us of the beauty of simplicity and unhurriedness, and warn us that to reach any place worthwhile: 'You can't go by clock or by mile, you have to go by heart. And the path of the heart is the hardest to take for the heart will not fool and the heart will not fake."
It was the favorite book of a teacher in La Jolla, California who had it read at her wedding and gave it as a gift to her bridesmaids and groomsmen. The first time someone came by my author’s table and told me that I simple dismissed it. Then another person told me she had been to a wedding in La Jolla where the book was read. Finally one day a woman came by, picked up the book, hugged it to her heart and told me ‘this is my favorite book. I even had it read at my wedding.”
When I asked her to explain further, the woman said, “I wanted my new family to be just like In the Company of Bears; where you’re always treated special and you never have to pretend because you are only seen and loved for just who you are.”
In this whimsical tale, wise and wonderful polar bears have discovered the secret of time, seeing all things exactly and precisely as they are: "To a BEAR, a kettle's a kettle. To a BEAR, a pot is a pot. Bears never call anything something that anything is not." The bears remind us of the beauty of simplicity and unhurriedness, and warn us that to reach any place worthwhile: 'You can't go by clock or by mile, you have to go by heart. And the path of the heart is the hardest to take for the heart will not fool and the heart will not fake."
Reviews
"I purchased two of your books: In the Company of Bears and Time of the Wild, which you graciously autographed for me. I have since read both the books a few times and wanted to express to you just how enjoyable I found them to be. I am especially fond of Time of the Wild! You have shared great wisdom to live by in both books and done so in absolutely beautiful prose. I will cherish these books and share your great insights with my friends and family. Thank you! Blessings, Constance Knapp"
"Most of my children's books are written on several levels. Parents have told me that their two-year-olds have memorized In the Company of Bears and at the same time many adults have told me how much the book means to them as well." - A.B. Curtiss
Details:
- Age Range: 2 - 8 years
- Hardcover: 40 pages
- Publisher: Oldcastle Publishing; 1994
- ISBN: 0932529720