Bears on Chairs - by Shirley Parenteau

About the Book

Can five bears share four chairs? The infectious rhymes and easy charm of this winsome read-aloud are sure to make little ones stand up and take notice. Full color.

Book Synopsis

Can five bears share four chairs? The infectious rhymes and easy charm of this winsome read-aloud will make young listeners sit up and take notice.

Four happy bears
on four small chairs.

Four chairs. Four adorable bears. All is well until Big Brown Bear shows up -- what a stare! -- and wants a seat. Can these clever bears put their heads together (among other things) and make space for one more? With endearing, expressive illustrations and a sustained rhyme in every line, here is a cozy tale that makes it clear there is room for all.

Review Quotes

Between the unerringly positive approach to a common early-childhood dilemma and the can't-miss rhyme, this volume will likely find its place on many a daycare shelf.
--Kirkus Reviews

Rhyming text is simple enough for a preschool audience, and the lesson the bears model about sharing, though obvious, will be welcomed by many teachers and parents.
--Publishers Weekly

Parenteau's brief rhythmic text is bouncy and light, and ideal for reading aloud. Themes of sharing and compassion are introduced in developmentally appropriate, subtle ways, and the bears' discovery of their own resolution is a refreshing conclusion to the story. Walker's acrylic illustrations match the airy lyricism and mood of the text.
--School Library Journal

Along with the visual treat of watching softly colored bears and chairs on expanses of white pages, this book cleverly melds words and art.
--Booklist

About the Author

Shirley Parenteau has written a number of books for children, including One Frog Sang. She lives in Elk Grove, California. This story was inspired by her granddaughters and how they play with teddy bears.

David Walker has illustrated several children's books, including Domino by Claire Masurel and Flip, Flap, Fly by Phyllis Root. He lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.