Too Much
Spring has come, but Bear will not leave his cave, so Rabbit, Squirrel and Fox find a gentle way to bring him out, in an audiobook for ages 4 to 9.
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What is Too Much about?
Too Much is an audiobook for children aged 4 to 9 about three friends who help a grumpy bear come out of his cave after his long winter sleep.
Winter is over, and Rabbit is waiting for her friend Bear. But Bear pulls the blankets over his head. "There's too much of everything out there," he says. "I'm staying in." Rabbit wants to roll down the hill with him, Squirrel wants to climb trees with him, and Fox has planned their big spring picnic. When Bear just goes back to sleep and snores, the three friends go to Fox for an idea.
Instead of pulling or shouting, they decorate the front of his cave with the sweetest-smelling flowers. Then they sit outside and talk, so that Bear can hear, about the soft green grass, the birds singing in the trees and the favourite food Fox has baked, and how none of it will be the same without him. When they leave, the scent of the flowers drifts in. Bear creeps to the mouth of the cave, follows his nose from a little cake to a honey sandwich, and finds his friends waiting with the biggest picnic ever. He says sorry for being grumpy, and they spend the spring together as they always do.
The story shows children a patient, kind way to help a friend who feels that the world is too much, and it is a gentle way to talk about big feelings. It is written by Anne Booth, illustrated by Maria Christania and published by Tiny Owl. It is about 5 minutes long and music-free.
What your child will learn
- Good friends are patient with us when we feel that things are too much.
- We can help others with gentle words instead of pushing them.
- Saying sorry when we have been grumpy puts things right.
Talk about it afterwards
- Why did Bear not want to come out of his cave?
- How did Rabbit, Squirrel and Fox help him without forcing him?
- What made Bear decide to come outside in the end?
- Have you ever felt that something was too much? What helped you?
Frequently asked questions
What age is Too Much suitable for?
Children aged 4 to 9. Its repeated lines and animal friends suit younger listeners.
What is Too Much about?
Bear does not want to come out of his cave after winter, and his friends Rabbit, Squirrel and Fox help him with flowers, kind words and a picnic.
How long is Too Much?
About 5 minutes.
Does Too Much have music?
No. It is music-free.
