Shape Book Appraisal

The Bear Family: A Puppet Shape Book

This item is a children's book titled "The Bear Family," prominently featuring the descriptive subtitle "A Puppet Shape Book." The overall shape of the book itself is die-cut to resemble the head of a large brown bear, with a smaller brown bear head visible to the right, suggesting a dimensional or interactive quality implied by the 'puppet shape' designation. The cover artwork displays three anthropomorphic teddy bears: a large adult bear positioned centrally and slightly higher, and two smaller bears in the foreground, one to the left and one to the right, creating a family portrayal. The bears are depicted with brown fur, tan snouts, black button-like eyes, and black noses. Their mouths are open, revealing pink tongues, giving them an expressive and friendly appearance. The bear on the far left wears a blue shirt with a white lace collar and a yellow and white checkered apron. The bear on the right wears a blue shirt with plaid sleeves and a pink bow tie. The overall color palette is warm, featuring shades of brown, tan, blue, yellow, and pink. The book appears to be made of sturdy board-book material, suitable for young children. Visible wear includes some darkening or discoloration on the upper right corner of the large bear's head, possibly from handling or age, and minor scuffing along the edges. The title text, "The Bear Family," is presented in a light green font on a white, cloud-shaped background, accented by a light blue border at the top that states "A PUPPET SHAPE BOOK." A small number, "8205," is visible in the upper left corner, potentially a catalog or inventory number. The book’s design suggests it is from the mid to late 20th century, common for interactive children's books of that era.