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A book called The Little Bear Treasury sitting outside with a small wooden lion next to it.

With fall in full swing, it brought me back to my childhood, days reading books cozy and warm in a big armchair by the window, listening to the rain and Jim Brickman Piano. On cold days, I loved to read collections of stories. One of my favorites when I was first learning to read was a book called The Little Bear Treasury. This collection of four stories was read to me by my mother before I could read, and one she used to teach me to read. It was among the first books I read on my own and introduced me to my love of reading and the worlds and adventures that exist in the pages of books. Books like this shaped my childhood in ways that permeated my daily life. Even now, I think of Little Bear and his mother whenever I see a baby bear. These stories still hold a special place in my heart, and I will forever be grateful to have had them introduce me to the world of books!


Book Information

Book Title: The Little Bear Treasury

Author: Else Holmelund Minarik

Illustrator: Maurice Sendak

Theme: Adventures of Childhood

Plot: A collection of three stories about Little Bear and his friends and family

Page Count: 64


Book Review

The Little Bear Treasury contains three stories: Little Bear, Little Bear’s Friend, and Little Bear’s Visit. Each story has its own elements that make it unique, but my favorite growing up was Little’ Bear’s Friend. In this story, Little Bear meets a young girl, and they become friends. I always wanted to be that little girl and make friends with animals! Each story in this book promotes the loving images of the mother-son relationship, sweet family relationships, and an endearing depiction of what it means to be a curious and explorative child. These stories are very simple and straightforward and contain the message of the importance of family as well as friends. As someone who grew up in a close-knit family, I have always been drawn to stories with the same warm feeling of being in a family unit. The illustrations by Maurice Sendak are done in soft colors and a pen sketch style, making them feel inviting and adventurous in and of themselves. Due to the overall feel of this book, the wonderful drawings, and the sweet stories with great family values, I give this book 5 stars!


Let’s hear what Alyssa and Chandler thought!


Family Reviews

Alyssa and Chandler

Alyssa gave this book five stars, saying, “Love the period art! This is a simple story but moves well for kids and adults! And the pictures are beautiful!”


Chandler seemed to agree with her mom on the rating, giving it a five-star rating as well. When asked about her favorite part, Chandler said, “I liked the coldness! (Story about snow).” Her mom offered some help in understanding what she was referring to, adding the part in parentheses.


Book on a desk that is attached to a bookcase.

There is something about having books around that’s just relaxing. Even if you don’t read all the books, having them there just seems to add something unexplainable to the room. But when it comes to keeping those books, sometimes it can be hard to find a way to work them into the room’s decor in a pleasing way, especially if you don’t have a room with floor-to-ceiling shelves. Even if you do have a room dedicated to books, having a few novelty bookshelves can add some personality to your collection. And it just so happens that Amazon supplies some fun and fashionable options. Let’s take a look!



Made from rubberwood, this wall-mounted bookcase would be so cute in a bedroom or living room. It looks like it would take up minimal space, but multiple shelves could be lined up to get one long shelf with books hanging below it.



While this shelf is listed on Amazon as a children’s product, but this product can be for anyone. With great reviews, it makes it look like your superhero of choice is holding up your books. It comes as Superwoman or Superman, and you can mix and match.




This topsy-turvy bookshelf might be a great addition to rooms with asymmetrical styles. Made of metal and standing at about five feet, this bookcase could be a fun option to add some character to the decor. Made of metal, it is made to last but does seem to have sharp edges, so it might not be great for rooms where babies play.



This beautiful design is great for a well-lit space to show off all its detail. It boasts a great black and walnut wood design that would look good with various color schemes and work for both elegant and more modern styles. In addition to its unique style being cool looking, its unique shape allows for storage of various sizes of books, including an open portion at the bottom that can accommodate books or other objects.




Another bookcase on Amazon is a floating shelf organized vertically rather than horizontally. This bookcase has a fun style with compartments set on different sides in what looks somewhat like a zipper. Made of engendered wood, it has a woodsy look that might do well in a room with an outdoor decor theme.





This more modern style bookcase is reminiscent of the 1960s. Its black, white, and wood colors make it fit in with a variety of colors and decor. Made of engineered wood, this bookcase is listed as being durable, a great option for those who like to fill bookcases to the max.




This heart-shaped bookcase is a cute addition to a contemporary style room. This shelf has much more open space, offering a space for more than just books, such as photos and other decorations, to help integrate it into a room. With the dimensions stated as being around five feet tall and with fourteen individual open shelves, this bookcase is unique in overall shape and design.




Another more modern take on bookcases, this bookcase might be a good option for modern style rooms. Its unique shape offers a bit of a closed structure, with a twisting opening that seems to wrap around the bookcase. Made of wood, this bookcase stands at around five feet, offering both a unique way to display books and a good amount of space to use.




Another fun floating shelf, this one is made of oak and holds a small number of books. For those with extra wall space, this bookshelf could add some personality to the room. More than one of these could be lined up or placed in various locations to maximize the number of books able to be stored above ground.




This bookshelf is not only unique in its shape but also practical. It holds books of various sizes and offers a drawer to store other products, such as lights and reading aids. Made from engineered wood, this bookshelf has a natural feel to it and could do really well in a more outdoorsy style home.





Tips for Online Furniture Purchases

Amazon has a massive collection of bookcases; these cases are only some of them. But finding bookcases is only half the battle. Purchasing furniture online is a whole different ball game. While this article's main point is just to share some of the unique bookcases out there, I figured it would be helpful to share my top tips for online furniture purchases.


Tip #1: Returns

Anytime you purchase something online, it is important that returns are available. Personally, I would only buy furniture that can be returned. However, remember to check the return rules, as there may be cases where you can't return products under certain circumstances.


Tip #2: Color Difference

The color of products looks different in the product image than it does in real life. This is due to the differences between the mockup generator colors and the real colors used when making the actual product. Keep this color difference in mind. Also, keep in mind that review images may also pose a challenge to use when it comes to accurate color gauging because different lighting can alter what colors look like in photos versus real life. I have found that noting the product's listed color is a good way to gauge color, even if the product image looks different. That being said, there is no guarantee, so, be aware.


Tip #3: Dimensions

It is important to note that the dimensions listed on some websites are actually the dimensions of the box the product will be shipped in. This means that sometimes things may be a bit longer or thinner than the actual products, especially if assembly is required.


If you are on the hunt for a bookcase, have fun, and if you find one that is super unique, leave a comment and let me know what you got!



Disclaimer: Please be aware that I am an Amazon associate and I earn from qualifying purchases through links.

Dear Journal,


The first book of my new series is officially in the works! I have finally begun writing the first draft! I am so excited to get started on this new series, even as my other series is being finished. This series will be a bit different, but it takes place in the same universe, just a different time. I have had this series and this first book on my heart for a long time now, and it feels so good to finally start turning it from an outline to an actual draft. It has been a while since I have written a first draft, and I love that process, so I am looking forward to it!


Sincerely,

Ondrea Keigh

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