February 2016 MEGA Debut of the Month Rapper Doc Brown’s Bear cheekily bounces his way through this simple picture book that is full of surprises. This is a Bear who enjoys playing cunning tricks on his friends. He can disappear, do magic, tell jokes, loves to paint – and knows when it is time to leave!
With funny word play and bold imagery, actor Ben Bailey Smith and artist Sav Akyuz introduce a trickster to remember. If there's trouble, one thing is certain: Bear was there. In (and out) of his outrageous purple outfit, Bear can do anything - steal honey from the bees, do magic tricks, steal doughnuts from a police officer, and annoy a certain pesky squirrel.
This hilarious picture book debut of actor Ben Bailey Smith (aka rapper Doc Brown) and artist Sav Akyuz will keep young mischief-makers in stitches.
I Am Bear, a visual, verbal treat packed with big, bold illustrations, comes from first-time book creators Bailey Smith and talented storyboard artist Sav Akyuz, and is set to tickle the funny bones and capture the hearts and imaginations of budding young rappers everywhere. Lancashire Evening Post
This wildly funny Bear will have you in stitches with his purple fur suit and talent for finding trouble. [...] Great for reading aloud with punchy bold illustrations that really add to the jokes. A sure fire hit with little rebels and wannabe rappers alike. South Wales Evening Post
Delivered as it is with a superb verbal economy, this riotous rapping rhyme of a picture book is perfect for beginning readers as well as for reading aloud. Storyboard artist Sav Akyuz's rendering of Bear and the other characters is suitably upbeat and perfectly in-keeping with the playful text and almost gives the impression the visuals have been created with spray cans or daubed with house painting brushes. Published under the Walker Entertainment imprint, there's assuredly plenty to entertain herein but equally there are a whole lot of inbuilt literacy lessons too. Red Reading Hub
it's a rhyming, rap-style picture book which is just as bold in subject matter as it is in appearance. Cartoonishly and colourfully illustrated by Sav Akyuz, it's the perfect picture book to introduce your child to the magic of books and reading. [...] Undoubtedly it will become one of those few books that your child will love reciting off by heart and relish reading aloud at bedtime with you. Junior
Meet the cheeky rebel hero of the forest in I Am Bear, a charming rap-style, read aloud picture book. Aldershot News and Mail
This hilarious debut will keep young mischief-makers in stitches. Surrey Advertiser
A big purple bear with a taste for mischief - perfect ingredients for a book. Gurgle
What a fantastic book! Not only has it got great rhymes and funny illustrations but you can rap along as you read it! School Library Association
There are some brilliant children's books around at the moment and, for those at the very beginning of discovering how enjoyable a book can be, there is I Am Bear by Ben Bailey Smith and Sav Akyuz. [...] The big in-your-face illustrations are a perfect match for this tale of the endearing bear and will make readers smile and tiny persons laugh. You can't ask more than that. Newbury Weekly News
Bear, a dude in a purple, fuzzy zip-up onesie who is about to join the great company of bears in children's literature from Pooh to Baloo to Padington. The Observer
It's about a purple bear, pleasingly fresh, nicely anarchic, and rhymes, as all the best books for pre-schoolers do. Daily Telegraph
Author
About Ben Bailey Smith
Ben Bailey Smith, aka Doc Brown, is a British actor, rapper, comedian and screenwriter,and creator of the BAFTA-nominated CBBC comedy 4 O'Clock Club. As an actor, Smith has played roles in the acclaimed BBC series Rev and Miranda, as well as Channel 4's The Inbetweeners. He currently plays DS Joe Hawkins in Law & Order UK.
