What none of them realise is there is a big, cranky bear in that cave!
Chased back out into the rain, the four creatures must think of a way to cheer the bear up so that he will let them back in. Zebra thinks no one could be happy without stripes, Moose realises he would be miserable without his antlers and Lion decides they should give Bear a mane. Poor old plain Sheep, though, has nothing to give.
In they proceed, painting stripes on Bear, sticking branches on him for antlers and making him a mane of grass.
Of course, this doesn’t cheer him up; it makes him crankier and he yells at Sheep, who is standing in his way. “All I really want,” he says, “is a quiet place to sleep!”
Sheep comes up with a way to help him, and they all find a way to be happy.
This is a gorgeous story, with irresistible animal characters, from the cranky bear to the vain lion and the sheep, who readers can’t help but fall in love with.
The story gives kids a good chuckle, with a nice happy ending that satisfies all involved.
Title: The Very Cranky Bear
Author/Illustrator: Nick Bland
Publisher: Scholastic, $15.99 RRP
Publication Date: 2008
Format: Hard cover
ISBN: 9781741691344
For ages: 3 - 5
Type: Picture book
