Kuma-Kuma Chan, The Little Bear
By Kazue Takahashi
Museyon, 2015
Translated from Japan
This quiet story of a quiet bear is done in quiet colors in a small format for tiny readers. The perfect quiet story for preschoolers.
After introducing readers to Kum-Kum Chan, the narrator wonders what the little bear does during his day, so we follow the bear. From waking up, to eating a breakfast of tomatoes and lettuce from his garden, to tidying up the house. We follow Kum-Kum Chan as he contemplates clouds passing by, as he dances to raindrops, and as he rolls across the room to stay in the sunlight. He does many things a preschooler may do to enjoy his surroundings. Its simplicity and charm pull in the reader. Completing Kum-Kum Chan’s day in bed, it makes a quiet bedtime story.