Bearhead: A Russian Folktale

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

PW called this a "satisfying" retelling of the exploits of a wily half-man, half-bear protagonist. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)

Children's Literature - Jan Lieberman

Eric Kimmel has put his own personal touches to this old Russian tale of "Ivanko the Bear's Son" but it is still full of fun and liveliness as we laugh at the literalness of Bearhead. When the witch, Madame Hexaba, tells him to kiss her feet, he picks her up by the ankles and kisses her toes. Shades of Amelia Bedelia. This bear with a man's body outwits a goblin, rights some wrongs and even finds happiness. The illustrations capture the pandemonium and lightheartedness of the text while depicting a solid bear-man who has both feet planted solidly on the ground.

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

In this Russian folktale, a woman finds a baby in the forest where she was gathering mushrooms. It is not your typical baby, because he has a human body but a bear's head, which is how he got his new name. When the witch Hexaba summoned Bearhead's father to come and be her servant, Bearhead goes in his father's place. How he manages to outsmart the witch and garner riches for himself and his parents makes for an amusing tale. The illustrations are full of good humor and a not too frightening witch.