Travel, photography, adventure, and animals are what this series is all about. Barrington Bear is a plush toy bear who really enjoys traveling – even during winter when all of the other bears are sleeping. He travels with a suitcase, his favorite hat, and his camera. It seems that Barrington has a real talent for photography, the photos throughout these books are awe-inspiring. It’s pretty fun to think that a plush toy bear can truly take photos, but it turns out the real talent belongs to Keith Szafranski. Keith not only takes the photographs, he writes the stories, and even designed and sewed Barrington. Pretty clever if you ask me!
“Barrington likes traveling around the world and seeing new places. He enjoys making new friends and trying new things.” If this sounds like you, then I think you will truly appreciate this series.
Take a look at the publisher’s synopsis of the first two books from the series:
Barrington Bear Visits the Emperor – The Emperor Penguin That is
Hardcover: 48 pages
Reading Level: Ages 4 – 8
Publisher: Small Bear Publishing; 1st edition (February 26, 2008)
Publisher’s Synopsis: Join Barrington Bear as he travels to Antarctica to visit and photograph the Emperor penguin, the largest penguin in the world. Barrington Bear has a real adventure learning about these magnificent birds. Join the fun as Barrington walks, talks and plays with the penguins. Learn how the Emperor lives in this frozen world and what it is like to be a young penguin in the land of ice and snow.
This is the first book in the Travels With Barrington Bear Series. Fun for all ages!
My notes: The text is educational, and includes a glossary page and an Emperor Penguin facts page. There is also a map to track the travel path that Barrington takes to get from Montana to Antarctica. The pictures of the baby penguins are adorable.
Hardcover: 48 pages
Reading Level: Ages 4 – 8
Publisher: Small Bear Publishing; 1st edition (February 26, 2008)
Publisher’s Synopsis: Barrington Bear On Safari is the second book in the Travels With Barrington Bear series. Join Barrington Bear (a little stuffed teddy bear) on safari as he travels to Kenya in East Africa. Barrington makes a new friend and photographs many interesting animals. He even gets to visit a native village. Learn about life on the African Savannah. See lions, hippos, elephants and more. Lots of fun for young travelers of all ages. Illustrated by dozens of stunning photographs. Fun and adventure for everyone!
My notes: I love that words can be learned in the Swahili language. Jambo (jahm’-boh) is Swahili for hello. The attention to detail when it comes to photoshop work on the pictures is dynamite – I loved seeing Sokwe the monkey’s reflection in the side mirror of their safari jeep, not to mention spotting the cheetah in the view finder of Barrington’s digital camera.
Links: www.TravelsWithBarringtonBear.com
Keith’s website: www.mostlywildlifephotos.com
A review by The Reading Tub.