Be Gentle!

I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but I loved this one. It's about a little bear who plays too roughly with a kitten, and his dad keeps telling him to be gentle with her. Let me just state this right now: I love misanthropic writers, such as Jim Goad and Florence King. Most of the books I read are pessimistic, angry, and explore the dark side of human nature. However, I have no shame in saying that a book about a bear and a kitten nearly brought me to tears. If that makes me a wuss, so be it

Poor kitty! "She's only little, Ba," a big gentle bear named George says repeatedly. A big bear hug from Bartholomew, and the kitten gets squashed. A playful squirt with the water hose, and kitten gets soaked. A rowdy drum serenade, and the kitten has had enough. Author illustrator Virginia Miller wrote this after her first book about the little bear with the big name, On Your Potty, grew in popularity. She enhances her spare text (only 203 words) with illustrations outlined in wide pencil and colored with soft, earth-toned markers. Ba is now out of diapers, but does not seem to be out of his "Terrible Two" stage. Be Gentle is my daughter's favorite Bartholomew bear story. Your toddler will not be able to get enough of this tale of well-meant but misplaced affection. I recommend the book Bartholomew Bear, a collection of five toddler tales of the same lovable bear at a great price.

If you have a cat and a toddler you have experienced this book! It is so cute! My daughter is almost 2 and we have 2 cats that she loves but who tolerate her.

"Be Gentle!" is the perfect book for toddlers learning the intricacies of proper social behavior. This book is my two year old's favorite because he knows many of the words. He has heard the phrase "be gentle" many times since the birth of his little sister, and this book helps him to truly understand what that means. He also gets excited because the book uses familiar objects such as a swing, a red wagon, and a drum in the storyline so he can sympathize with the characters. A great book for new, young siblings.

Our son loves this book and it has been an excellent tool in teaching him to be gentle. It is one of our favorites!