The
First Bear
By
Felicity Hansen
Published By Barefoot Books
Review by: Yvonne
Gaudet
The
First Bear, who has lived in the sky for as long as anyone can remember,
shines down on the Earth every night as he is made up of all stars.
Shining brightly one night, he notices that while some children are able
to fall asleep quite quickly, others lay awake for quite some time crying,
scared and lonely. He wishes he could comfort these children, but since he
is a constellation he cannot leave the sky. On one night in particular,
the First Bear notices a poor orphaned boy who was lonely because his Aunt
didn’t pay much attention to him. The First Bear decides he must do
something to make this little boy happy. He makes a bear out of a cloud in
the sky. It has brown eyes and golden colored fur that is soft and warm.
The First Bear gives the teddy a star for a heart. The little bear takes
his first breath and listens to the words of his creator. “ I am sending
you to the Earth to take care of a little boy”. He also tells the little
bear to return to him when the boy leaves home, and no longer needs him.
So off goes the First Bear, to complete his important mission on Earth.
During
the First Bear’s time on the Earth with his boy, he bonds closer and
closer to the child. As the child ages the Bear does not leave him and the
child has no intention of letting him go. When the First Bear sees what is
happening he is pleased and sends more bears to the world for other
children. This is a good book for preschool ages 0-6 to enjoy listening
too. Luxurious colors of oil paintings in this book, done by Anthony
Carnabuci, make a great addition to the story line. This story not only
explains were teddy bears may have come from, it also shows a good example
of lifelong commitments to friendship, and relationships with loved ones.
My
day care children love to hear this story before naptime every day!
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Now
