If you’re looking for a children’s picture book that combines humour, surprise and a touch of the absurd, then look no further than Bears Don’t Eat Egg Sandwiches, it is a delightful treat. Published by Maverick Books, this charming tale is written by Julie Fulton, best known for her popular ‘Ever So’ series of rhyming picture books. With vibrant illustrations by Rachel Suzanne, this latest offering is a visual and narrative feast that’s sure to tickle young readers and grown-ups alike.
In Bears Don’t Eat Egg Sandwiches, young page turners are introduced to Jack, a polite and well-mannered young boy who is just about to tuck into his favourite lunch of egg sandwiches. But just as he is about to take a large delicious bite, there’s a rather loud knock at the door. When Jack opens the door, to his astonishment he finds a large, grumpy grizzly bear standing on the doorstep, looking for something to eat. Jack, ever the generous host, offers his beloved egg sandwiches. But the bear is having none of it. “Bears don’t eat egg sandwiches!” he roars, demanding instead a big plate and a big spoon. What he’s planning to eat remains a mystery, and it’s this suspense that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages.
Overall, I found Bears Don’t Eat Sandwiches to be a fun and entertaining story, a joy to read. The storytelling is crisp, clever and packed full of playful tension. The dynamic between Jack’s politeness and calm hospitality, combined with the bear’s ever-escalating impatience for something good to eat is captured beautifully, and has excellent comedic timing. With the hungry and grumpy bear constantly bellowing, “Bears don’t eat egg sandwiches!”, young page turners will find it a hilarious mantra that echoes through the pages, helping to build the anticipation of what the bear is eventually going to eat. The repetitive rhyme of the story superbly invites children to engage with the story with a big grin on their faces – it’s a brilliant example of how repetition and rhythm can enhance children’s reading experiences.
This fun rhyming story is accompanied by the wonderful illustrations of Rachel Suzanne. The full colour page images are as equally engaging as the text. With the use of bold and expressive images, Jack and the bear are vividly brought to life on every page. Readers will be welcomed with expressive images featuring the bear’s hangry mood coupled with Jack’s unwavering calm politeness, which add layers of visual humour and emotion to the story. By making use of vivid colours, the illustrations are warm and inviting, with each page offering plenty of visual cues that help to support the drama unfolding on each page.
When we first read this book, it was an instant hit, lots of fun that has been read lots of times since. With its quirky tale, combined with engaging rhyming text and expressive artwork, it is an excellent choice for storytime.
Beyond the fun and laughter, it also has some depth to it. With subtle undertones centring around themes of kindness and generosity – even when your guest is a bit of a grizzly grump, it offers some excellent lessons. Jack’s unwavering calm politeness, despite his very demanding hangry visitor offers a gentle lesson in empathy, politeness and good manners, wrapped in a wonderfully silly and fantastically fun package.
We think that Bears Don’t Eat Egg Sandwiches is a deliciously fun read, perfect for preschoolers and early readers. It’s ideal for reading aloud and giggling over. Whether you’re a parent, teacher or librarian, this book deserves a spot on your shelf. It’s a story that proves sometimes the simplest ingredients, like egg sandwiches and a surprise twist, can make for the most satisfying literary snack.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £8.99 (Paperback)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
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