The Bear who Stood on his Head

Inside a cave in the Canadian wilderness, live a family of grizzly bears. Each season, Eispeth and Archibald enjoy escaping from their mother to go adventuring. Their roly poly lovable younger brother, Ben, always wants to accompany them but this inevitably leads to disaster. With near drownings, multiple bee stings and a bolt of lightning, Ben attracts trouble wherever he goes. However, if it is suggested that Ben stays at home, he gets upset and when that happens, Ben stands on his head weeping tears into his ears. The richness of the language for middle juniors makes this book a useful literacy resource. More importantly, it is a very enjoyable book. The dramatic style of Ursell's illustrations brings to life a truly warm and comforting story. Long suffering older brothers and sisters will relate to Elspeth and Arichibald, who time and again are persuaded by their mother to let young Ben tag along with them. Plenty for pupils to get their paws into.