Books like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is a children's picture book published in 1967. Written and illustrated by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle, the book is designed to help toddlers associate colors and meanings to objects. The book has been widely praised by parents and teachers and placed on several recognition lists. In 2010, the book was briefly banned from Texas’ third grade curriculum due to a confusion between author of children’s books Bill Martin Jr, and author of Ethical Marxism: The Categorical Imperative of Liberation (Creative Marxism) philosopher Bill Martin.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?  is one of over 300 children’s books written by Bill Martin, Jr. Martin came across illustrations by Eric Carle in a newspaper, and their collaboration began shortly after. Martin and Carle write poetic books they wished they had access to as students. Their use of simplistic and rhythmic language is to help students transition from reading to writing in early stages of education. Before Martin begins writing a book, he establishes a rhythm which is then repeated throughout the book. American author and illustrator Steven Kellogg describes Martin’s purpose for writing his children's poetry books is to expose “children to the ‘music of language'." Martin believes the cheerful rhythm resonates with children, even if they do not understand the content.