Sweet and snuggly bears are a perfect addition to an early childhood classroom. Students can investigate the differences between different types of bears, learn about a bear’s habitat, or even host a teddy bear picnic! These bear books for preschoolers bring a smile to even the most growly preschooler’s faces.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
This book can be read as a classic childhood favorite as a story or echo-response chant. Students will delight in the repetitive verses and adventure that await the characters as they trek through swishy grass, sticky mud, and a swirling snowstorm to find a spooky cave. But will they find a bear?
Extending the Learning: Lead the preschoolers on their own “bear hunt” using the classic recording by Dr. Jean while acting out all the different motions.
Bear Counts (and more!) by Karma Wilson & Jane Chapman
The bear books by Wilson & Chapman are a fantastic addition to the preschool classroom. Each has concepts presented in an age-appropriate manner. Students will practice counting, number recognition, color identification, and opposites. Rhyming pages, repetitive verses, and adorable characters are staples in these bear books.
Extending the Learning: Explore these books and read a favorite copy of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Follow up with some practice in opposites by talking about big, small, hard, soft, hot, cold, and of course, “just right!“
Bear Feels… books by Karma Wilson
After exploring counting, colors, and opposites, try these gorgeously illustrated bear books for preschoolers by the same author! The “Bear Feels” series keeps growing, and with good reason. The lovely bear and his adorable forest friends explore some of the big ‘bear-sized’ feelings preschoolers might experience.
Extending the Learning: These books are fantastic lead-ins to talking about emotions. Play different kinds of music and ask the students how the music makes them feel.
Check out this Resource from my Shop!
Bears Preschool Unit
$10.50Learn all about the 8 types of BEARS in the world, and have fun with your teddy bears during this Bears Preschool Unit. Detailed daily lesson plans, printable activities, and literacy/math centers are all done for you!
- 10 circle time lessons
- 10 math, literacy, & fine motor centers
- Book Recommendations
Corduroy by Don Freeman
This classic story has been one of the most beloved bear books for preschoolers since 1968! Follow along with the adventures of Corduroy, a slightly imperfect toy in the big department store, through adventures at the store to find his very own home. Classicly illustrated and cleverly written, students will cheer for this little bear from start to finish.
Extending the Learning: Invite the students to bring their favorite stuffed toys and have a “Best Friends Picnic.” Spread blankets on the floor indoors (or outdoors if the weather permits!) and serve cookies and lemonade while everyone introduces their favorite toys to one another.
How to Share with a Bear by Eric Pinder
When a boy wants to snuggle up and read in a pillow cave he’s built in his living room, he is surprised to find a bear is already occupying the space! While he tries multiple ways to divert the bear’s attention so he can sneak into the cave himself, he ultimately decides to build a bigger cave.
Extending the Learning: Encourage students to follow the step-by-step picture directions and create their own pillow cave!
The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland
The very cranky bear is lying in his cave when four animal friends barge in to escape the cold. A loud “Roar!” doesn’t scare the friends away but instead inspires them to find ways to cheer him up. Finally, Sheep solves the problem by looking beyond her perspective and realizing what Bear needs! Written in a bouncing, sing-song cadence, this is a book that will have students giggling up a storm.
Extending the Learning: Print out a bear outline and encourage students to decorate it like the animals in the book did, or by using their imagination and decorating it as if different animals had happened upon the cave.
Big Smelly Bear by Britta Teckentrup
What’s worse than being big and smelly? Having an unreachable itch and no one will help scratch it because you’re big and smelly! But is taking a bath really the answer? A short and sweet book for every preschool classroom.
Extending the Learning: For snack time, make bear toast by serving crunchy toast with a favorite spread (peanut butter, sun butter, or something similar). Students place two banana slices for bear ears and another slice for a nose. Use chocolate chips, raisins, or blueberries to add eyes. This bear smells (and tastes) GOOD! As with all food activities, please check for allergies before serving.
More Bear Fun!
- Learn all about the 8 types of bears in the world, and have fun with your teddy bears during this Bears Preschool Unit.
- Learn the “Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear” Nursery Rhyme and engage students in fun movement games, literacy activities, and math by conducting a shorter mini-unit.