Bear's Adventure by Brian Wildsmith

Bear climbs into an empty hot air balloon basket and so his adventures begin. He is mistaken for a man in a fancy costume, joins a parade and a running race, he's interviewed for a television show, transported by helicopter and fire engine and until he eventually returns home somewhat confused by all of his very strange experiences.

As I read Bear's Adventure I kept thinking of the way it links with Daisy (1984).

Bear's Adventure was first published in 1981 and later went through several reprints up until 1991. It was published again in 2018 with a different cover and I think a slightly different text.

When I visited the Brian Wildsmith exhibition in Barnsely (UK) a few weeks ago Bear's Adventure was one of several books you could pick up and read. One page caught my eye because it mentioned the word video and even more surprising watching a video while riding a bicycle.

The original text says:

"That's a very funny act,' he said to bear. 'I was watching you on my miniature television set."

The updated text says:

"That was a very funny act,' he said to bear. 'I was watching you here, on my phone."

Look closely at this page and you can see the words 'miniature television':

I didn't have the two versions on the text with me at the exhibition so I cannot be sure if other parts of the text have been changed but the words "on my phone" really jumped out at me because I am sure did not write about phones back in 1981 although perhaps Brian Wildsmith did the text update because he died in 2016 and so he may have indeed watched videos on his phone.  

Blurb from the Brian Wildsmith web page: After mistaking the basket of a hot-air balloon for a cozy den, a brown bear goes on an unexpected adventure in a big city. When the balloon lands at the start of a colourful parade, the crowd embraces bear - so very lifelike! - turning him into an instant celebrity. From talk-show hosts to helicopter pilots, everyone wants to meet the funny man in the bear costume. But no-one understands poor Bear! With each new sight and smell, friendly face, and excited crowd, Bear is drawn further from his home and into an adventure he will never forget. Combining elegant writing with gorgeous illustrations, this lively and endearing story will keep readers enthralled to the final pages.

The illustrations are stunning. Each page is like a painting or a one of a kind greeting card, sharing beautiful animals, prints, textures, and colors. ... This picture book has adventure, humor, and reminds us that even a moment spent among chaos, has perfection. Bear just goes along with every unraveling mishap, seeming to be led a step closer to where he is suppose to be- no matter what direction he takes to get there. Read Aloud Literacy

I will share many more parts of the Brian Wildsmith exhibition over the coming weeks.

If you have a group of older students, you could compare Bear's Adventure with this old (sadly long out of print) book: