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Else Holmelund Minarik
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A Kiss for Little Bear (An I Can Read Book) Paperback – May 8, 1984

by Else Holmelund Minarik (Author), Maurice Sendak (Illustrator)
4.8 out of 5 stars 309 ratings

An ALA Notable Children's Book and New York Times Best Illustrated Book, this beloved classic Little Bear story from Else Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak celebrates the love between grandparent and grandchild.

Little Bear is so pleased with the picture he has drawn that he asks Hen to take it to his grandmother. Grandmother is so happy with it that she sends him back a thank-you kiss. How the kiss is passed from Grandmother, to Hen, to Cat, to Little Skunk, to a pretty girl 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.

HarperCollins is proud to present this new edition of A Kiss for Little Bear that has been printed in close collaboration with the Maurice Sendak Foundation to ensure that Maurice Sendak’s original artwork has been reproduced to the highest standards.

A Kiss for Little Bear is among the beloved classic Little Bear books for beginning readers from Else Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak. The first, Little Bear, launched the I Can Read early reader series in 1957.

Don’t miss more adventures with Little Bear and his friends by Else Holmelund Minarik, with pictures by Maurice Sendak!

  • Little Bear
  • Father Bear Comes Home
  • Little Bear’s Friend
  • Little Bear’s Visit
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  1. Reading age
    3 - 7 years, from customers
  2. Part of series
    I Can Read Level 1
  3. Print length
    32 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Lexile measure
    340L
  6. Dimensions
    6 x 0.12 x 9 inches
  7. Publisher
    HarperCollins
  8. Publication date
    May 8, 1984
  9. ISBN-10
    0064440508
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0064440509
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Too much kissing?

Little Bear sends Grandmother a picture, and she likes it so much she asks Hen to take him a thank-you kiss. But Hen passes the kiss to Frog, who passes it to Cat, and on and on—will Little Bear ever get his kiss?

About the Author

Else Holmelund Minarik first introduced readers to her timeless character in the classic Little Bear. Publication of this book, with illustrations by Maurice Sendak, launched the I Can Read series. This much-loved author continues to write stories for children at her home in North Carolina.



Maurice Sendak’s books have sold over 50 million copies and have been translated into more than 40 languages. 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. 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. In 2003 Sendak received the first Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, an annual international prize for children’s literature established by the Swedish government.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins (May 8, 1984)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0064440508
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0064440509
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 340L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.59 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.12 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 309 ratings

About the author

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Else Holmelund Minarik

Else Holmelund Minarik

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Else Holmelund Minarik first introduced readers to her timeless character in the classic Little Bear. The book's publication, with illustrations by Maurice Sendak, launched the I Can Read series. This much-loved author continues to write stories for children at her home in New Hampshire.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
309 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a cute story for beginning readers, with beautiful illustrations and perfect for reading aloud. They describe it as sweet and fun for both children and adults, with one customer noting it comes with different reading levels for each child's skills. The book's length receives mixed reactions, with some finding it too short.

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45 customers mention "Story quality"45 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, describing it as sweet and cute, particularly suitable for beginning readers.

"kids love these books" Read more

"...The books have simple yet lovely art and the books are fun to read." Read more

"...it until he sees a pond and passes it on to Cat .... This is a fun story with a few simple lines and large illustrations on each page...." Read more

"Nice size for little ones. Love this series!" Read more

17 customers mention "Illustrations"17 positive0 negative

Customers love the illustrations in this book, describing them as beautiful and cute, with one customer noting the large page designs.

"...The books have simple yet lovely art and the books are fun to read." Read more

"...Cat .... This is a fun story with a few simple lines and large illustrations on each page. Kids will enjoy the funny ending (and so will you)." Read more

"...have said it all when it comes to the gentle story and the excellent illustrations. This book is awesome!! I have no complaints at all...." Read more

"...of any age love these stories and they have some of the most beautiful messages out there for kids concerning friendship and love for their peers...." Read more

9 customers mention "Reading level"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book suitable for beginning first grade readers, with one customer noting it comes with different reading levels for each child's skills.

"...The books have simple yet lovely art and the books are fun to read." Read more

"This story about Little Bear is a charming introduction to the world of reading for beginners, especially for those who are already familiar with..." Read more

"My children love these sweet, simple books and this book in particular. I loved these books growing up as well...." Read more

"...read them and are learning a lot, they come with different reading levels for each child reading skills." Read more

8 customers mention "Sweetness"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book sweet, with one mentioning it's a favorite of their children, and another noting how it conveys love for peers.

"...Little Bear is a sweet child to his mother and father, and a good friend to Duck, Hen and Cat...." Read more

"My children love these sweet, simple books and this book in particular. I loved these books growing up as well...." Read more

"...beautiful messages out there for kids concerning friendship and love for their peers...." Read more

"...We all loved the story. So sweet." Read more

6 customers mention "Humor"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, finding it fun for both children and adults, with one customer specifically mentioning the funny ending.

"...Kids will enjoy the funny ending (and so will you)." Read more

"...It is a sweet little story and it makes my little ones giggle. I don't know why people are being so weird about the kissing...." Read more

"...The stories are brief but entertaining and the illustrations are rich and engaging...." Read more

"This is one of my favorite kid books. It has cute humor that even adults can appreciate...." Read more

3 customers mention "Reading ability"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book perfect for reading aloud.

"...This series creates a warm family atmosphere that is perfect for reading aloud with a small child on your lap!" Read more

"great for reading" Read more

"This book is beautifully written and little bear illustrations are classic!..." Read more

6 customers mention "Length"4 positive2 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's length, with some appreciating its big and small elements while others find it too short.

"Nice size for little ones. Love this series!" Read more

"...thrilled to see another Little Bear book, but even she was disappointed by the length...." Read more

"...Its still the cutest story and all the kids, big and small, love it." Read more

"Nice big type and engaging pictures make this children's classic shine. It's a nice break from today's "loud" "busy" pages...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • heather
    5.0 out of 5 stars love
    Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    kids love these books
    Helpful
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  • Robyn K.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Little Bear Rocks!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Bought this for my grandson! He has been discovering little bear and he has become a favorite. The books have simple yet lovely art and the books are fun to read.
    Helpful
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  • audrey frances
    5.0 out of 5 stars cute story for beginning readers and/or Little Bear fans
    Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2003
    Verified Purchase
    This story about Little Bear is a charming introduction to the world of reading for beginners, especially for those who are already familiar with this gentle cub and his friends. Little Bear is a sweet child to his mother and father, and a good friend to Duck, Hen and Cat. Minarik's simple narrative will be easy enough for young readers, and Sendak's illustrations will hold their attention.
    In this story, Little Bear draws a picture for his grandmother, and asks Hen to take it to her. When Grandmother sends a kiss back to Little Bear, Hen carries it until she sees some friends, then she passes it along to Frog, who carries it until he sees a pond and passes it on to Cat .... This is a fun story with a few simple lines and large illustrations on each page. Kids will enjoy the funny ending (and so will you).
    22 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Brown
    5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless Classic
    Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Nice size for little ones. Love this series!
    Helpful
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  • green sapphire
    5.0 out of 5 stars ... when it comes to the gentle story and the excellent illustrations. This book is awesome
    Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I think the other reviewers have said it all when it comes to the gentle story and the excellent illustrations. This book is awesome!! I have no complaints at all. The one thing that I would add is that this story is also peppered with advanced vocabulary that is a useful challenge for my little child. I made flashcards of the words he stumbled with and we review them as a game, which he loves. I have found that, after accumulating a large library, most of the books for this age group use the same, easy words, which really limits the complexity of the story or the sense of accomplishment for the child after successfully finishing the book. This book is a nice exception and one that I would keep for the long haul.
    8 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • cheryl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Little Bear Book
    Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    These are beloved stories in our house. Love them!!
    Helpful
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  • RChambers
    4.0 out of 5 stars I love all the little bear books and the maurice sendak illustrations!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    My children love these sweet, simple books and this book in particular. I loved these books growing up as well. It is a sweet little story and it makes my little ones giggle. I don't know why people are being so weird about the kissing. I grew up in a prudish, almost-Victorian-type home and my parents had this on the shelf. If you're going to worry about it being "appropriate" you probably won't enjoy it. (It isn't inappropriate.) Otherwise, buy it and love it with the rest of us!
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Optimusprimelives
    5.0 out of 5 stars Maurice Sendeck's illustrations steal the show!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Little Bear is one of the best series out there and the message and illustrations in the book is second to none. Children of any age love these stories and they have some of the most beautiful messages out there for kids concerning friendship and love for their peers. My kids never get tired of these stories and as a parent I do not get tired of reading them night after night.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Garnier
    5.0 out of 5 stars Super
    Reviewed in France on October 29, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Pour initier les enfants à l'anglais, c'est un très bon texte : pas compliqué, répétitif (comme les comptines), et avec des mots de vocabulaire différents à chaque page. J'adore les dessins.
    Report
  • Lectrice
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Old Classic
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 25, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This is a lovely old classic tale that is only incidentally an easy reader. My sons loved it in the US 30+ years ago, and my British granddaughter was delighted with it and loved reading it herself. The whole Little Bear series is well worth having.
    Report
  • Alberta Anxiety
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nostalgic gift
    Reviewed in Canada on January 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Made my wife cry opening this on Christmas!
    Report
  • ゆきうさぎ
    5.0 out of 5 stars 子どもが気に入った
    Reviewed in Japan on June 26, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Little Bearのお話が好きな小６の娘（英検3級）の音読用に購入。
    絵もやさしくて素敵だし、Little Bearもかわいくて、
    音読練習のときには何度も選んで読んでいます。
    Report
  • teddydu
    5.0 out of 5 stars Warmherzige Geschichte
    Reviewed in Germany on October 15, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Warmherzige Geschichte mit Zeichnungen, die der Phantasie noch Platz lassen und ohne erhobenen Zeigefinger
    Unser Kleiner liebt diese Geschichten, er ist drei Jahre alt und ich lese sie ihm noch auf deutsch vor, später können wir dann damit Englisch üben - aber das eilt nicht. Ich habe als Schulkind auch meine ersten Sprachübungen mit Kinderbüchern angefangen. Da ist der Wortschatz beschränkt. Ich habe diese Buch wegen der Zeichnungen von Maurice Sendak gewählt, wir haben auch noch andere Little Bear Bücher, alle wunderbar warmherzige, kindliche Geschichten, die für das erste Lesealter gedacht sind, aber auch ideal zum Vor-lesen.
    Sehr empfehlenswert.
    Report