Bear Has a Story to Tell
Ages: 0-7
- ★★★★★
- ★★★★★
- ★★★★☆
- ★★★★★
- Empathy
- Generosity
- Complaining
- Friendship
Values
Struggles
Why Should My Child Read This Book?
This is a gently paced, beautifully illustrated tale that teaches children the art of gentle patience. As Bear waits for the right moment to share his story, he puts others’ needs before his own—helping his friends prepare for winter. The book offers a quiet but profound lesson: sometimes, waiting is an act of love. Children learn that even when they’re eager to share something, it may not be the right time—and that’s okay. The right moment will come, and when it does, it will be even more fitting and beautiful. It’s also a wonderful STEM companion book, introducing children to animal behaviors and seasonal habitats—how different creatures prepare for winter.
How Can I Use This Book?
- Share the Quranic verse: “Indeed, Allah is with those who are patient.” ( 2:153)
- Ask your child: “How was Bear patient in this story? Why do you think Allah is with people who wait patiently?”
- Role Play:
- Tell your child to: “Show me what grumpy waiting looks like.” (Let them act it out.) Then say: “Now show me what gentle waiting looks like.”
- Discuss the difference between the two. Ask your child, “How do you usually wait for things? Is it more like the grumpy way or the gentle way? When do you think you’ll have to wait for something again? How do you want to act?
- The Prophet ﷺ was known for his hilm (gentle patience) with others. He once said: “There is no gift better and more vast than patience.” (Bukhari and Muslim) Discuss how Bear showed a kind of gift through his waiting—and how helping others is sometimes more important than being heard right away.
- Explore how different animals prepare for winter, while reflecting on the Islamic concept of planning and trusting Allah’s wisdom.
- Turn it into an activity: “Who Does What in Winter?” Create a chart with three categories: hibernate (sleep through winter), migrate (travel to warmer places), adapt (stay active but grow thicker fur or change behavior). Fill in the chart with the different animals in the book and add to it as you learn about or observe different animals in your neighborhood.
What’s This Book About?
It was almost winter and Bear was getting sleepy.
But first, Bear had a story to tell...
Bear found his friend Mouse, but Mouse was busy gathering seeds and didn't have time to listen to a story. Then Bear saw his friend Duck, but Duck was getting ready to fly south. What about his friend Toad? He was busy looking for a warm place to sleep. By the time Bear was through helping his friends get ready for winter, would anyone still be awake to hear his story?
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Anything I need to be aware of?
VIEW FLAGSGenres: General Fiction
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
*This review applies only to ISBN number noted above.
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