The Teddy Bear

by David McPhail

A compassionate tale of friends lost and found. "The Teddy Bear had a good home . . . a warm, cozy place to sleep . . . many friends . . . and someone who loved him." The little boy and his teddy bear were always together. Every night, when the little boy went to sleep, his teddy bear was right there next to him. When the little boy went on a trip, his teddy bear went too-until one terrible day when the teddy bear was left behind . . . This is the wonderful story of a friend who is lost and found and lost and found again, and of a little boy who begins to understand the meaning of compassion.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Christmas, Fiction, Poverty, Realistic Fiction, Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

David was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts and attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. While there, he began illustrating. He is now an award-winning author and illustrator of nearly 200 books beloved by children, parents and librarians across the United States. McPhail has garnered many prestigious awards, including a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year for Mole Music in 2001. McPhail’s other books include First Flight, which the New York Times praised as “hilarious and helpful”; and Lost!, which was chosen as an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists.

McPhail has four children, three stepchildren, and is a proud grandfather. He is married to Jan Waldron, with whom he has written and illustrated several books. He lives in Rye, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love a story like this...teaching children empathy and compassion to others in need.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars & 5/10 hearts. My mother read this to me as a child, and it stuck with me. I remembered that it stirred me and left me saddened. A friend mentioned something that made me think of it the other day, and I ended up looking for the book, tracking it down, and finding it on archive. I immediately read it to my little siblings, fighting tears. This book is poignant. The coolness, understatement, and pathos of the text, paired with the quiet yet vivid images, is very affecting. I never forgot the picture of the old man in the dumpster. I never forgot the teddy bear keeping the lonely old man company. As an adult, I’m now old enough to feel pain at the reaction of the father and mother, and yet I’m also old enough to understand their reaction. This is a thought-provoking, unforgettable, bittersweet story, and I can’t wait to read it to my own children.

[Courtney K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suggested to me by colleagues. I have to put it on my "can't read aloud" list as it made me cry. I had to have my 7 year old read the last 5 pages or so. To be fair, I am pregnant and maybe can get through it when less hormonal.

[Modboy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique and interesting story with a wonderful moral about giving to those less fortunate. You really get to see a young boy "grow up" here.

[Shay Rundell · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this beautifully illustrated picturebook by David McPhail, the audience experiences the story of loss, homelessness, and love. A young boy loses a teddy bear that he cherishes with all of his heart, and the bear is found by a bearded man in a green coat. The bearded man, who is homeless, finds comfort in the bear and the boy slowly starts to forget about his loss. However, one day in the spring, the homeless man leaves the bear on a bench to search for something and the young boy so happens to walk by and find him! But after seeing the grief of the bearded man at the loss of the bear, the boy gives him back, knowing how much comfort that bear brings to the both of them. I would love to have this book in my classroom, as it brings up homelessness in a manner that is not demeaning, and it also teaches kids about kindness and love.

[Kelsey Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a teddy bear that gets left at a restaurant and thrown away. A homeless man gets the teddy bear out of the trash and keeps him in his pocket. The little boy misses him dearly but as time goes on he has more toys to play with and occupy him. The little boy was walking in the park with his parents when he saw his bear. He was about to take the bear with him when he heard the homeless man looking for his bear. The little boy decides to give the bear to the homeless man.
I loved this book. I thought it was such a cute story and one kids would enjoy. I loved the illustrations and loved the story line. I think it would be such a cute story for young kids. I think this book could be used for a unit about bears. I also think it could be used to talk about sharing with others.

[Kelsey Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a touching book that teaches kids about compassion and giving. A little boy loses his favorite teddy bear and can't sleep without it. A homeless man finds the bear in a trash can and it becomes the only possession he haves and he begins to love it as much as the little boy did. One day in the park the little boy sees his teddy bear on a park bench and he is so relieved he found it so he takes it and walks away. As he is walking away he hears the homeless man crying for his bear. The little boy turns around and gave him his bear. Learning to give away something you love for someone else is a huge thing for kids to learn to become compassionate and loving people.

[Scot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming story of a young boy who carries his favorite teddy bear everywhere with him. One day he forgets his teddy bear at a local diner and it gets thrown away. A homeless man finds the teddy bear and keeps it for himself. The two become inseparable just like the little boy had. One day in the park, the boy sees his teddy bear sitting on the park bench, where the man had placed it for a moment. The boy is happy to take it back, only to soon realize that the man was sobbing after learning his teddy bear was gone. In a very heartwarming way, the young boy brings it back to the man and gives it to him, stating he used to have one just like him.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered this book at a library sale, and am so glad I did. The tale of a lost Teddy Bear shows a look at a homeless man that will be a lovely story to start conversations about being homeless. Through a bit of confusion, a young boy's bear is left at a restaurant and ends up in the trash. It's found by a homeless man, who learns to love it as much as the little boy. The ending will bring a tear and a smile. McPhail's art always pleases. It's a soft story with softly rendered illustrations.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tender story about a little boy and his teddy bear. He took his teddy bear with him everywhere until one day the teddy got left behind. By the time it was noticed the bear had been tossed into a garbage bin. Later a homeless man found the bear and loved it as much as the little boy did.
Lovely illustrations.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - this book is incredibly sad but sweet. Definitely got me to tear up, and I’ll definitely be rereading this when my baby is older.

A homeless man finds a lost teddy bear and treasures it, but the little boy finds the teddy bear and takes it away. He gives it back when the man starts crying and ooof, that hit hard. A solid way to talk about homelessness in our country with our kiddos.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense grows, during this teddy bear adventure.

Suspense that gives way to compassion.

Everywhere abounding, are the most soulfully sweet picture book drawings. Between his story concept, his simple-but-direct language, and those heart-enlivening illustrations... that David McPhail is such a talent!

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little boy loses his teddy bear, a homeless man finds him and the bear becomes his new best friend, when the little boy sees the bear on a park bench he grabs him, but returns him to the man when he sees how sad he is. Themes: kindness, homelessness, sharing

[Breeze · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 2 year old twin grandchildren loved this book about the lost teddy bear and the "bearded man" (a homeless man who lives in a dumpster and rummages around garbage pail). Lots to discuss about homelessness, judging those who are different, and a child's capacity for compassion.

[Cricket Muse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another McPhail gem that provides a memorable story of many lessons: comfort, security, compassion, socioeconomic awareness, just to name a few. So much is stated in less than 40 pages.

What makes this story even more amazing is that it is inspired by a real situation David McPhail witnessed.

[Tami Ritchey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heartwarming tale of a teddy who gets left behind in a diner, only to be picked up and loved by the most unlikely of people. The ending is a tear-jerker. Great to use with younger students to teach point of view!

[Kasey Damery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a tender and heartwarming book. Very thought provoking for kids. My 5 year old was silently pondering for a few minutes after reading this. He was definitely affected and it was a great conversation starter about generosity and selflessness.

[Sarah Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

We recently had two very well-loved stuffed kittens show up in my work's lost, and found and no one has come to pick them up. My librarian instantly checked this out for me after hearing that story, and it did not disappoint. Beautiful book!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing book to teach empathy. i cried and so did my students!

[Laura Weakland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad story. I get the idea behind the book, but struggled a bit with the idea of a homeless man needing or wanting a teddy bear. Maybe I’m wrong on that one...

[Sarah Oswalt · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite part of this book was when the little boy gives his beloved bear away.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This children's picture book teaches children social and emotional learning that at times others may need the comfort more than we do.

[Kristen Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Publishers recommended ages: 4-8
Social and Emotional Learning
Sweet book that teaches about compassion for others experiencing poverty and homelessness.

[Zazie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my 9th book of November and my first 5-star read of the month; I loved this and think that it'd be well-loved by any child you read it to; it's definitely worth the buy!

[Rosa]

This story made me cry. I thought it was sad.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a bit startling in its realism and grittiness, but also very moving. I think the boy learns something important at the end about compassion for someone less fortunate.

[amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0⭐️

[muffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kindergarten teacher cried while reading this to me

[Amy Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow. (My 5yo was like “why are you crying, Mama?”)

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story that most children will be able to identify with if they have a most favourite toy or blankie that they love ... literally... to pieces.  The little boy in the story has his most cherished teddy beside him at all times.  They are inseparable, and even if the family goes away on a trip, teddy goes along too.  On one such trip the family stops in a diner to refuel and sadly the little boy's teddy is accidentally left behind and then tossed out in the dumpster.  "He lay squashed in a dark, smelly place, even though he had a fine fur coat he was beginning to get a chill.

A forsaken, homeless man, searching for his next meal, rescues the abandoned teddy and claims him as his own.  Then strangely enough, one day in the park the little boy spots his beloved teddy on a bench and is delights to have him back once again in his life.

The little boy notices the despair and anguish on the poor homeless man's face when the man suddenly realizes what is happening with his teddy.  The little boy happily hands over his most valued treasure as a gift to the heavyhearted, dispossessed man knowing how much the old man cares for the teddy bear and how much it means to him.

The pen-and-watercolour illustrations add so much sub-text to the story.  They are filled with soft shading and cross-hatching making them look vintage and inviting the reader to be present in the story.   This wonderful tale of compassion will bring a tear to your eye and a smile to your face as you realize what a sacrifice this little boy is making to bring a poor, rejected outcast some happiness and joy by relinquishing his teddy bear over to him. Teddy is the winner in this tale because he never loses that feeling of being special and loved by both the little boy and the homeless man.