The little boy in this book is getting ready for bed having packed up his toys and climbed up the stairs to his room carrying his teddy bear. This bear is his special bear, a little worn out in places from all that playing and cuddles, but lovingly mended in patches too. The little boy brushes his teeth and washes his face then climbs into bed, not forgetting his bear. Then the night comes and the boy holds onto his beloved bear to comfort him when ‘shapes loom’ and monsters appear to come near. Together they confront the menacing shadows and the boy ends up happy in the knowledge that they can overcome their fears and the night time together. Back in bed safe and warm with his bear the little boy falls asleep content and looking forward to waking up to a new day of fun with bear.
Categories: Comfort Objects, Fear of The Dark
Best Bear
Great for any child that has a special bear to comfort them through the night as the book
illustrates how together they can overcome a fear of the dark.
Author: Emma Dodd
Illustrator: Emma Dodd
Publisher: Gullane Children's Books
Things we liked: The illustration simply shows a happy bear with his friend the little boy. The use of the robot toy's shadow helps communicate the idea of the monster of the child's imagination without being explicit in telling the child that their fears are just exaggerated in the dark.
The simple use of language and neat rhyme makes it an easy story for very little children to listen to and understand.
Review by: Kate Proops