Book Review: There’s a Bear on My Chair by Ross Collins
Bedtime is often a delightful dance of stories and snuggles in our home. The other night, as I settled into the familiar chaos of our nighttime routine, I pulled out There’s a Bear on My Chair by Ross Collins. I was in the mood for something light-hearted; with my kids ages three and five, I knew we could all use a good laugh before drifting off to dreamland.
In this charming tale, we meet Mouse, who discovers a bear comfortably nestled in his favorite chair. Poor Mouse tries every trick in the book to shoo Bear away, from sneaking around to even trying to lure him out with a nice slice of cheese. But Bear just won’t budge! This delightful story captures the themes of friendship and persistence, ultimately leading to a surprising twist when Bear steps out of the chair and… surprise! There’s a Mouse in Bear’s house!
What immediately caught my kids’ attention were the bright, animated illustrations that pop off the pages. Collins has a knack for pairing vivid visuals with the playful narrative. They found the expressions on Mouse’s face particularly hilarious and would giggle every time he looked exasperated. As I read aloud, my daughter insisted on providing voices for both Mouse and Bear, mimicking my silly renditions, which made our reading session feel like a mini theater performance!
The rhyming text flows beautifully, making it easy to engage little ears. We often paused to repeat our favorite lines, like “There’s a bear on my chair!” It became a fun chant that the whole family joined in on. Both my kids were eager to predict what Mouse might try next, happily shouting out ideas. Their imaginations ran wild, and I loved how it sparked conversations about sharing space and dealing with unexpected situations—valuable lessons wrapped up in laughter.
One of the sweet highlights of our reading was when my son leaned in, wide-eyed, eager to know if Bear would ever leave the chair. His anticipation was palpable! And the moment when we turned the page to find a mouse in Bear’s house led to squeals of delight. "Look, Mom! Now he’s in trouble!" The kids couldn’t stop giggling, and honestly, neither could I.
I would wholeheartedly recommend There’s a Bear on My Chair to parents of toddlers and preschoolers. It’s perfect for those cozy then-quiet moments before bedtime or as a fun read during a rainy afternoon. It’s a fantastic pick for a group read-aloud session, especially in preschool settings where children can practice their rhyming skills.
In a world that sometimes feels a little chaotic, this book provided us with laughter and connection. It’s a lovely reminder that sometimes, even if a bear has claimed your chair, unexpected friendships can bloom in the unlikeliest of places. I can already tell this is going to be a staple on our bedtime bookshelf, one we reach for again and again.
If you’re searching for a book that delivers joy and a sprinkle of wisdom all while keeping little ones entertained, this one is a gem!
Snuggle up with a delightful story about friendship in There’s a Bear on My Chair! >>
