Welcome back to the MakoStars Store Monthly Book Spotlight! Each month, we highlight books that help kids fall in love with reading.
In past spotlights, we’ve shared the timeless rhymes of Dr. Seuss, the wild adventures of the Treehouse series, and the cheeky humor of Roald Dahl.
This month, we’re featuring bear storybooks for kids—a perfect theme for cozy reading times, family laughs, and early literacy.
Our picks:
- The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? My First Reader by Bill Martin Jr. & Eric Carle
These picture books with bears are warm, funny, and perfect for reading aloud with children—ideal for bedtime, preschool circle time, or solo early reading.
🐾 Why Choose Bear Storybooks for Kids?
Bears have been beloved characters in children’s books for generations. Think of Winnie-the-Pooh, Paddington, and countless cuddly teddies. But beyond being cute, bears make excellent storybook heroes because they’re:
✅ Familiar: Kids love animals they recognize.
✅ Relatable: Bears can be shy, curious, silly, brave—just like kids.
✅ Flexible: Perfect for stories that are funny, educational, or gentle.
Reading bear storybooks for kids also offers real educational benefits:
- Builds prediction skills (What will the bear do next?)
- Boosts visual literacy (following the art for clues)
- Strengthens early vocabulary (colors, animals, actions)
- Encourages emotional discussions (How does the bear feel?)
📚 Featured Book #1: The Bear Ate Your Sandwich
By Julia Sarcone-Roach
This is a beautifully illustrated, slyly funny picture book with bears that kids (and parents) love.
📖 The Story
A curious bear wanders out of the forest, into the city, and stumbles upon a lonely sandwich. Naturally—he eats it.
Or did he?
The entire story is told by an unreliable narrator who insists the bear is to blame… but readers will spot the truth by the end.
🎨 Why It’s So Popular
✅ Funny Kids Picture Book: The bear’s city adventure is laugh-out-loud funny.
✅ Gorgeous Artwork: Julia Sarcone-Roach’s acrylic paintings are rich and detailed, making every page an adventure.
✅ Smart Storytelling: The twist ending invites kids to be detectives.
✅ Interactive Read-Aloud: Perfect for asking questions like, “Do you think the bear really ate the sandwich?”
🌟 Reviews Highlight
“An instant read-aloud classic with a wry sense of humor and lush illustrations.” — School Library Journal
“A deliciously sly urban adventure.” — Kirkus Reviews
🐻 Perfect For:
- Ages 3–7
- Preschool classrooms
- Family bedtime stories
- Kids who love animals, city adventures, and giggling
🛒 Get It Here:
👉 The Bear Ate Your Sandwich at MakoStars Store
🎨 Activity Idea
After reading, invite your child to:
- Draw their own bear adventure in the city
- Make a “Bear Ate Your Sandwich” collage
- Tell you a story about who really ate their snack!
These activities build storytelling skills, creativity, and early literacy in a fun, hands-on way.
📖 Featured Book #2: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? My First Reader
By Bill Martin Jr. & Eric Carle
This classic bear storybook for kids gets a new spin with the My First Reader edition. Perfect for children just starting to read on their own, it offers the timeless text and art in an easy-to-read format.
📘 What’s Inside?
- Eric Carle’s iconic, bright collage illustrations
- Repeating, rhythmic text (“Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see?”)
- Predictable patterns that support early reading
- A focus on colors and animals kids know and love
✅ Why Parents and Educators Love It
✅ Builds Confidence: Short, repeating sentences make it perfect as a first reader book.
✅ Teaches Colors and Animals: Reinforces basic concepts in a fun way.
✅ Engages Kids: Call-and-response rhythm turns reading into a game.
✅ Supports Emotional Literacy: Encourages naming, noticing, and predicting.
🌟 Reviews Praise
“A classic for a reason. Perfect for toddlers learning to recognize colors and animals.” — Parents.com
“One of the most important board books for toddlers and early readers alike.” — Goodreads Reviewer
🐾 Great For:
- Ages 2–5
- Early readers needing predictable text
- Circle time in preschool
- Parents building reading habits at home
🛒 Get It Here:
👉 Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? My First Reader at MakoStars Store
🧸 Why These Two Bear Books Make a Perfect Pair
They’re both funny kids picture books and perfect for early reading, but they offer different experiences:
- Great for ages 3–7
- Funny, clever storytelling
- Beautiful art and urban adventure
- Supports prediction and discussion
🐻 Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? My First Reader:
- Perfect for ages 2–5
- Classic, rhythmic text for first reading
- Focuses on colors, animals, and repetition
- Supports vocabulary and confidence
✏️ Reading Tips for Parents
✅ Read Aloud Daily: Builds bonding and a reading habit.
✅ Ask Questions: What will happen next? Who is in the picture?
✅ Encourage Participation: Let kids “read” the repeating lines.
✅ Pair with Drawing: Invite them to illustrate their own bear stories.
✅ Celebrate Effort: Even if they don’t read every word correctly, cheer them on!
📌 Don’t Miss Our Other Spotlights!
If you loved these picks, check out our other Monthly Book Spotlights:
We have something for every young reader.
🛍️ Shop These Bear Books at MakoStars Store
Ready to add these bear storybooks for kids to your home library?
🧺 The Bear Ate Your Sandwich
🧺 Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? My First Reader
Visit our full collection for more fun kids picture books, early readers, and classics loved for generations.
🌟 Happy Reading
At MakoStars Store, we believe reading should be fun, warm, and something kids can’t wait to do.
These two bear-themed books invite giggles, learning, and together time. Whether you’re reading about a sneaky city bear or chanting along with colorful animals, you’re building a love of stories that lasts a lifetime.
