Giving the painting into the keeping of his friend Hen, Little Bear asks her to take it to Grandmother Bear, which she faithfully does, receiving a kiss for Little Bear in return. In 2003, Sendak received the first Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, an annual international prize for children’s literature established by the Swedish government.First published in 1968, this fifth and final early reader devoted to the childhood adventures of Little Bear opens as its eponymous ursine hero is painting a picture - one depicting a monster who looks quite a bit like one of the Wild Things from illustrator Maurice Sendak's own classic picture-book, Where the Wild Things Are - for his grandmother. In 1970 he received the international Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Illustration, in 1983 he received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award from the American Library Association, and in 1996 he received a National Medal of Arts in recognition of his contribution to the arts in America. He received the 1964 Caldecott Medal for Where the Wild Things Are and is the creator of such classics as In the Night Kitchen, Outside Over There, Higglety Pigglety Pop!, and Nutshell Library. Maurice Sendak’s children’s books have sold over 30 million copies and have been translated into more than 40 languages. This much-loved author continues to write stories for children at her home in North Carolina. Publication of this book, with illustrations by Maurice Sendak, launched the I Can Read series. And, of course, she never forgets his birthday.Īn ALA Notable Children's Book and New York Times Best Illustrated Book, this Level One I Can Read is full of warm and lovingly playful stories that are perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences. Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the short sentences, familiar words, and simple concepts of Level One books support success for children eager to start reading on their own.Įlse Holmelund Minarik first introduced readers to her timeless character in the classic Little Bear. When he goes to the moon, she has a hot lunch waiting for him on his return. When it is cold and snowy outside, she finds just the right outfit for Little Bear to play in. And we meet Mother Bear, who is there whenever Little Bear needs her. In the Little Bear stories, we meet Little Bear, whose adventures are filled with humor and joy. The first, Little Bear, launched the I Can Read early reader series in 1957.

How the kiss is passed from Grandmother, to Hen, to Cat, to Little Skunk, to a skunk, and back to Little Skunk, and how eventually it comes again to Hen and finally to Little Bear will delight children just learning to read.Ī Kiss for Little Bear is among the beloved classic Little Bear books from Else Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak.

Grandmother is so happy with it that she sends him back a thank-you kiss. Little Bear is so pleased with the picture he has drawn that he asks Hen to take it to his grandmother.

A kiss for little bear reading level