Honey and Bear by Ursula Dubosarsky illustrated by Ron Brooks

If you have followed this blog for a while you will know I adore our Australian illustrator Ron Brooks. A few years ago I visited the Book Illustrated site and purchased a limited edition print from this book - Honey and Bear. Recently I talked about Ursula Dubosarsky I thought I would revisit this old favourite.

Honey and Bear was published in 1998 - so I need to say Happy 20th Birthday Honey and Bear! And there was a sequel Special Days with Honey and Bear (2002). In 2010 the publisher combined these two books. You might be amazed to discover a second hand copy now costs over $300!

Honey and Bear are good friends.  In the first book there are five short stories.

Good Idea, Bad Idea
Bear decides to clean up his kitchen. Once it is all spic and span he then decides it is time to make a cake! He knows Honey would love some seedy cake. When Honey arrives home all she can see is the mess.  "Honey looked at the table. It was covered with eggshells. She looked in the sink. It was full of dirty dishes. She looked at the floor. There was flour all over it."  Luckily the cake is just out of the oven and so the friends sit down to enjoy a fresh slice. Bear comments "I did not have a good idea and a bad idea. I had two good ideas. I just had them in the wrong order."

Bear's secret
Bear, like all small children, does something 'naughty'. He puts a some marbles down the plug hole in the sink. He feels guilty but does not confess his crime to Honey. Luckily Honey has a long neck and she just reaches into the sink and solves the problem.  "Bear never told Honey that he was the one who dropped the marbles down the plug hole. Bear never told anyone at all."

Counting Leaves
Bear is sleeping. Honey is bored. She begins to count the falling leaves. It proves to be an excellent way to pass the time.

The Visit
Bear and Honey set off to visit Bear's mother. They pack a picnic of chocolate spread sandwiches, orange juice and two bananas. Their route takes them around a lake and when they reach half-way they stop and eat half their lunch. They walk on and a little later share the rest of the lunch. When they finally arrive there is a sign on the door. Bear's mother has gone visiting and won't be home again for three weeks. This is a story filled with optimism.  "We had a lovely picnic ... And maybe next time we visit, my mother will be at home!"  Honey also shows great kindness towards her friend Bear. The walk and spilled food mean bear looks quite messy but she is never tempted to comment on his appearance. This is a story which could give you some great ideas for a class discussion.

Honey is Cross
Everyone has a day when a bad mood strikes. Honey just needs some time alone to sort herself out. She flies away and meets an eagle. He shows her a different view of the world and Honey comes to appreciate all the wonderful things she has at home including delicious peas.

Another reason to celebrate the collaboration of Ursula Dubosarsky and Ron Books - they have a new book which is about to be published. Midnight at the library is coming in November.

I would pair Honey and Bear with Houndsley and Catina,  Frog and Toad, Mouse and Mole, Joe and Sparky, Bear and Chook, and Rabbit and Bear.

Here is the Spanish edition of Honey and Bear.