The Teddy Bear

The Teddy Bear tells the story of a young boy who owns a teddy bear. The young boy lives a comfortable life with a loving family. One day, they accidentally leave the teddy bear in a restaurant. After being thrown away, he is picked up by a homeless man. The boy misses his bear, but has many other things in his life that keep him busy. The bear misses the boy, but he provided company to the man. One day, the boy sees the bear when the man momentarily leaves him on a bench. The boy picks up the bear and his family hurries away when they see the man; but upon hearing the distraught man's cries, returns to give the bear back .

This story is a good example of contemporary realistic fiction. It contains elements that students can likely show more relate to such as owning stuffed animals or having a loving family and friends. However, it also addresses the issue of homelessness that fewer students may be aware of. It allows students to gain a new perspective without being too direct. Homelessness or poverty is not explicitly stated, but shown through the illustrations.

This story can definitely be used for critical literacy. Students may discuss the struggles homeless people face. They may question why the family walked away quickly when they saw the homeless man and what socially constructed attitudes might have driven them to act in such a way. This story and discussion about the content can lead students to recognize social injustice and encourage them to take action. Comparing and contrasting what they have in their own lives to what others people in their community may lack can provide deeper awareness.

GENRE: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

USES:
- have critical literacy discussion about homelessness--conditions, attitudes, etc.
- encourage action for social justice by having students do a toy drive to collect stuffed animals or other toys for a homeless shelter show less

A teddy bear, lost by the little boy who loves him, still feels loved after being rescued by a homeless man.

A little boy has a teddy bear he takes everywhere. The teddy bear is left at a restaurant and a homeless man finds him in a dumpster. This picture book is very cute, and brings up good points about sharing. When the little boy finds his teddy bear in the possession of the homeless man, he lets the man keep his teddy bear. I really liked this book.

Critique: This is a good example of realistic fiction because the characters, and plot could happen in real life. The boy deals with issues of loss. Kids will relate to the feeling of loosing a favorite toy or having to share something that's special to them. The homeless man may bring up conversations about people students have seen especially if the school is in an urban setting.

Point of show more View Critique: "The Teddy Bear" is told using third person point of view. There is a narrator that tells the whole story. The narrator helped tell the moral of the story. The reader wouldn't know the full story unless it was from the point of view of the narrator. show less

This is a good example of a realistic fiction book. Everything that happens in it could happen in real life and the characters are all relatable. We have all had a special animal or blanket that we never wanted to be without and so we can understand how the boy is feeling. The author does a good job of making this a story that seems true even though it didn't really happen.

Plot

This story is about a teddy bear who is from a loving home where he gets to go on lots of adventures with the little boy who loves him. On one of these adventures, the teddy bear is accidentally forgotten and left behind in a strange place. Finally ending up in a dumpster, the teddy bear is found by a homeless man. The homeless man takes the teddy bear with him and grows to love him. Together, the teddy bear and his new owner go on many different adventures as the teddy bear learns that people in all walks of life are capable of love.

Age: Primary
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Review: Although we do not if this book is a true story, it could very well happen. The characters and plot line were incorporated in locations that make it easily relatable to many readers. Young readers would relate to the teddy bear as companionship, and how hard it is to give that up sometimes.
Media: Water color

This is such a touching story about the love for a teddy bear that a young boy has. The emotions conveyed in this picture book are ones that all of us have felt and are also ones that children can connect and relate to. This is an excellent example of a realistic fiction book because the event of loosing one's precious toy, happens every day. The plot of the story is very plausible and easy to believe.
Level: Primary
Stars: Point of View