Bear Tales: Three Treasured Stories

Patricia Morley is professor emerita of English and Canadian Studies at
Concordia University and an avid outdoor recreationist. She is the
author of several books, including The Mountain Is Moving: Japanese
Women’s Lives, Kurlek and Margaret Laurence: T

These whimsical, utterly delightful tales had me laughing aloud. They
should do the same for small children.

Adapted from traditional tales known in the Czech Republic, North
America, and Russia, the stories are retold by Vlasta van Kampen with
understatement through a plot that includes, in her words, “more than
a little good natured calamity.”

In “Bear and Pig Went to Market,” the two animals set off to the
fair with their goods—Bear’s tray of roast potatoes and Pig’s tray
of sweet buns. Bear also has a nickel, which he uses to buy a bun from
Pig. Pig then uses the nickle to buy a potato from Bear. The pair
continue to buy each other’s goods until both trays are empty. In
“Two Lazy Bears,” Ivan and Igor argue all day. Why hang up clothes
that will be worn again soon, put away books that will be reread, or
sweep a floor that will only get dirty again? Parents will sympathize.
The bears go fishing, miss “The Big Picnic” while attempting to
avoid further work, and decide not to be “so silly” in future. Their
friend Goat agrees, and all ends happily.

Van Kampen has illustrated more than 30 books. Her rich colors, bold
designs, and sly sense of humor in Bear Tales are a perfect blend for
the stories. Highly recommended.