Traveling Bear Book and CD Series

"Traveling Bear and the Drive-Through Safari" is the first book in a series that aims to teach children important life lessons. In this story, a bear and some of his friends go on a safari and see many different animals. Each of them is told to write down any questions he/she may have and save them until the end of the safari. After the trip, Traveling Bear learns how to find the answers to his questions when a trainer in the park gives him a book about animals. Nicholas was thrilled when the trainer told Traveling Bear about libraries because "I get books from the library too." (He is so proud to have a library card so he can check out books.) He was a little disappointed that the answers to the bear's questions were not given, so he decided he "needs to go get some animal books and teach myself." He liked the bright and colorful pages because they "make the book more fun to look at."

"Traveling Bear and the Drive-Through Safari" is geared towards children between the ages of three and six. It comes with a CD so the children can read along with the story and develop better reading skills. There is a page at the end of the book that helps to show how much the child comprehended what he/she read and also emphasizes the main lesson of the story. I thought it was good to teach kids how to find answers to their questions, but I also think it is important for kids to ask their questions in group settings so others can learn as well.

Max liked when Traveling Bear, Chuga, and Mookie went to the water slide and Chuga was afraid to try it. Chuga didn't say anything but thought it looked like it almost reached the sky. When Chuga got worried (because he doesn't like to try new things) and wanted to go home, Max felt sorry for him because he would be missing out on the fun. Max was very happy when Chuga said "I can do this" and finally went on the water slide at the end. Max said it looked the water slide was really fun. Max has never been on a water slide and now he is going to ask his Mom and Dad to take him on one.

In "Traveling Bear and the Search for Treasure," a young bear goes on a treasure hunt with his grandparents. Along the way, they encounter some difficult situations and must decide whether or not they should continue on their quest. This book allowed Nicholas to use his imagination. He wondered "What's the bear gonna do with the treasure and how did it get there?" It taught him not to be afraid of things, but also not to take unnecessary risks. He laughed when the grandpa karate chopped the ghost that tried to scare them away from finding the treasure. The author shows that perseverance is necessary for people to achieve important goals. "Traveling Bear and the Search for Treasure" includes a CD so the kids can read along with the story. At the end, there are questions to discuss situations that arose in the book to help test the child's comprehension of the story. It was a cute story that children ages three to six will enjoy.