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A Bear in War
Based on a true story, the moving letters of a Canadian family to their father overseas fighting in World War I provides a granddaughter insight to the love and loss they experienced during such a tragic period in history.
36 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 19, 2025
When Lieut. Lawrence Browning Rogers went to war in 1915, he left behind a wife and two children in Canada. For two and a half years, family letters flew back and forth across the Atlantic, and so too, one Christmas season, did Teddy, a small brown teddy-bear sent by Aileen Rogers as a holiday gift for her father. When Lieut. Rogers was killed in October of 1917, while serving as a medic during the Battle of Passchendaele, Teddy was in his front pocket. And when his uniform and medal were sent home to Canada, so too was Teddy...
Co-written by Rogers' great-granddaughter, and narrated by Teddy himself, A Bear in War is the true story of one Canadian family's experiences during World War I. Discovered, along with other war mementos, in a family suitcase in 2002, Teddy can now be found at The Canadian War Museum, where his story - and that of his owners - has been preserved. With its simple, poignant narrative, in which a loving family is caught up in the great historical events of their time, and beautiful illustrations by Brian Deines - whose artwork so impressed me in SkySisters - A Bear In War is well worth the time of any young reader interested in the history of World War I, or in the issue of honoring veterans for their service.
Co-written by Rogers' great-granddaughter, and narrated by Teddy himself, A Bear in War is the true story of one Canadian family's experiences during World War I. Discovered, along with other war mementos, in a family suitcase in 2002, Teddy can now be found at The Canadian War Museum, where his story - and that of his owners - has been preserved. With its simple, poignant narrative, in which a loving family is caught up in the great historical events of their time, and beautiful illustrations by Brian Deines - whose artwork so impressed me in SkySisters - A Bear In War is well worth the time of any young reader interested in the history of World War I, or in the issue of honoring veterans for their service.
February 8, 2024
I love how this is both a story picture book and also true. But it is so sad! I love the combination of illustrations and actual medals and photos from the character's lives, with snippets from real letters written between them.
August 3, 2025
5/5 This story was beautifully written. I like how real photos were included within the story to help bring it to life more. The best part was that it is told in the POV of the teddy bear - which I think helps children connect to the story better. Such a touching story.
October 15, 2025
beautiful and very moving story based on the author's grandfather's life.
Very sad but such was life of many families who lost loved ones during the Great War.
Lovely illustrations mixed with photographs and documents from that time.
Very sad but such was life of many families who lost loved ones during the Great War.
Lovely illustrations mixed with photographs and documents from that time.
November 13, 2025
Nice picture book about WWI set in Canada. Based on a true story, there is sadness and loss. I appreciated the combination of illustrations and photographic reproductions of the real life family in the book.
September 7, 2016
Series - Bear on the Homefront is also about Teddy
Worldview - Universally Acceptable
Setting:
Location - Quebec, Europe, Passchendaele Time Period - WWI, 1914-1918
Review
Based on the true story of Teddy, a stuffed bear that is on display at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Canada.
This is a gentle and beautiful story told from the perspective of Teddy. The gorgeous art work creates a nostalgic backdrop for the lovely text, using muted tones.
The reader follows Teddy as he meets his new owner, a small girl who uses a leg brace due to polio complications. Teddy is there when Daddy enlists and leaves for WWI. Wanting to do something kind for her father so that he won’t miss his family so much, the child mails Teddy to be with Daddy in Europe. Her father, a medic, carries Teddy in his pocket. The bear is found after his death at the Battle of Passchedaele and returned to the family in Canada, with his uniform and medals.
The text is wordy, which may cause younger students to lose interest before the father even leaves for the war.
At moments the first person narration from the bear’s perspective is slightly awkward. Rather than showing the reader what is happening there are times when the bear is relaying information the child has told him.
Teacher Application
The gentle approach to the subject matter allows young children to be introduced to the concept, without over-simplifying the realities of war. Many of these stories avoid discussing the fact that numerous Daddies died in the wars. It is important for children to understand this, but it is also important they are developmentally ready for this concept. Although many families discuss the concept of death with their children from a young age, giving the children a healthy understanding, there are families who wish to shield their children from this knowledge. The death of a father might be too harsh a place to begin this learning process for some children.
Brief video clip showing the teddy bear, family photos and artifacts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSWvH...
Field Trip Opportunity
Canadian War Museum http://www.warmuseum.ca
Parental Warning
This is a book about war. There are mild, non-graphic discussions of injuries and death.
Worldview - Universally Acceptable
Setting:
Location - Quebec, Europe, Passchendaele Time Period - WWI, 1914-1918
Review
Based on the true story of Teddy, a stuffed bear that is on display at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Canada.
This is a gentle and beautiful story told from the perspective of Teddy. The gorgeous art work creates a nostalgic backdrop for the lovely text, using muted tones.
The reader follows Teddy as he meets his new owner, a small girl who uses a leg brace due to polio complications. Teddy is there when Daddy enlists and leaves for WWI. Wanting to do something kind for her father so that he won’t miss his family so much, the child mails Teddy to be with Daddy in Europe. Her father, a medic, carries Teddy in his pocket. The bear is found after his death at the Battle of Passchedaele and returned to the family in Canada, with his uniform and medals.
The text is wordy, which may cause younger students to lose interest before the father even leaves for the war.
At moments the first person narration from the bear’s perspective is slightly awkward. Rather than showing the reader what is happening there are times when the bear is relaying information the child has told him.
Teacher Application
The gentle approach to the subject matter allows young children to be introduced to the concept, without over-simplifying the realities of war. Many of these stories avoid discussing the fact that numerous Daddies died in the wars. It is important for children to understand this, but it is also important they are developmentally ready for this concept. Although many families discuss the concept of death with their children from a young age, giving the children a healthy understanding, there are families who wish to shield their children from this knowledge. The death of a father might be too harsh a place to begin this learning process for some children.
Brief video clip showing the teddy bear, family photos and artifacts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSWvH...
Field Trip Opportunity
Canadian War Museum http://www.warmuseum.ca
Parental Warning
This is a book about war. There are mild, non-graphic discussions of injuries and death.
January 26, 2013
This touching book based on the true story of the Rogers family and a tiny teddy bear brought tears to my eyes and made my son sad for a family who lost a beloved member. Aileen Rogers, a 10 year old girl who lived on a farm in East Farnham, Quebec in 1915, owned a small stuffed bear named Teddy. When her father, Lawrence, enlisted to go fight in the war in Europe, and his letters reveal that he was cold and tired and missed them terribly while in the trenches, she decided to send him her teddy bear to remind him of home and to keep him safe.
The story is told from the point of view of the teddy bear, and I thought this was well done as a way to gently introduce the concept of war to the child reading it. Aileen's father dies as a medic at the battle of Passchendaele. Teddy was in his front pocket. Teddy was sent back to Canada with Lawrence's personal belongings. Today, Teddy sits in the Canadian War Memorial in Ottawa, Canada.
This story opened up a conversation with my son about war. Along with beautiful earth-toned oil painting illustrations the book also includes archival photos and documents of the Rogers family. What's more, the author Stephanie Innes is actually the great-granddaughter of Lawrence, Aileen's father. These photos, along with the fact that the Rogers family lived not far from where we do in our province of Quebec, and the make-up of the family being so similar to ours (a father, mother, 10 year-old sister and 7 year-old brother) truly made this story all the more real. We could relate to this family and feel their sorrow at their loss.
This is a beautiful story and a beautifully illustrated book, with heartwarming moments of family time and love. It made me and my children want to pray all the more that soon all wars all over the earth come to an everlasting end.
The story is told from the point of view of the teddy bear, and I thought this was well done as a way to gently introduce the concept of war to the child reading it. Aileen's father dies as a medic at the battle of Passchendaele. Teddy was in his front pocket. Teddy was sent back to Canada with Lawrence's personal belongings. Today, Teddy sits in the Canadian War Memorial in Ottawa, Canada.
This story opened up a conversation with my son about war. Along with beautiful earth-toned oil painting illustrations the book also includes archival photos and documents of the Rogers family. What's more, the author Stephanie Innes is actually the great-granddaughter of Lawrence, Aileen's father. These photos, along with the fact that the Rogers family lived not far from where we do in our province of Quebec, and the make-up of the family being so similar to ours (a father, mother, 10 year-old sister and 7 year-old brother) truly made this story all the more real. We could relate to this family and feel their sorrow at their loss.
This is a beautiful story and a beautifully illustrated book, with heartwarming moments of family time and love. It made me and my children want to pray all the more that soon all wars all over the earth come to an everlasting end.
November 1, 2014
A touching based-on-a-true-story told from the perspective of a teddy bear as he comes to live with a young girl and her family, and ultimately, is sent to bring comfort to the girl's father on the front lines of the First World War.
The text is long-winded providing ample depictions of the young girl's daily family life and details about life in 1914 that are useful scene-setting for today's children, but make the story a bit long and unwieldy for children younger than grade 3. For example, the fact that the young girl had polio is an interesting historical note, but not really a detail relevant to the story's progression.
The meat and message of this story take place much closer to the end of the tale once the bear joins the father in Europe. Ultimately, the bear returns to the girl and now resides in a museum in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. These historical notes are present at the end of the story.
Given that there is a death in the story, this may not be a book for everyone. Admittedly, I'd already read this book to myself once before reading it aloud to a grade 4/5 class, but that first read-aloud choked me up. In my 12 years as a librarian this is only the 2nd story I've read that had that effect upon me. I've been able to read it since to other classes without dissolving into tears.
The inclusion of real photographs of the people in the story as well as of documents, medals, etc. from their lives provides excellent context for students.
The text is long-winded providing ample depictions of the young girl's daily family life and details about life in 1914 that are useful scene-setting for today's children, but make the story a bit long and unwieldy for children younger than grade 3. For example, the fact that the young girl had polio is an interesting historical note, but not really a detail relevant to the story's progression.
The meat and message of this story take place much closer to the end of the tale once the bear joins the father in Europe. Ultimately, the bear returns to the girl and now resides in a museum in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. These historical notes are present at the end of the story.
Given that there is a death in the story, this may not be a book for everyone. Admittedly, I'd already read this book to myself once before reading it aloud to a grade 4/5 class, but that first read-aloud choked me up. In my 12 years as a librarian this is only the 2nd story I've read that had that effect upon me. I've been able to read it since to other classes without dissolving into tears.
The inclusion of real photographs of the people in the story as well as of documents, medals, etc. from their lives provides excellent context for students.
July 23, 2013
A Bear in War tells a tender story about the love of family and the heartache brought by war. Aileen Rogers loves her teddy bear and he tells us about life with Aileen and her family in Canada during World War I. When Aileen's father joins the Canadian army, life goes on for those at home, despite how much they miss him. Finally, Aileen sends her beloved Teddy to her father to protect him and he is carried about in Aileen father's pocket until he is killed in battle. War is a sensitive subject especially when presented to children. This book presents a look at a war that isn't as well known from the perspective of a toy (although the story is very much based on fact as the book documents) which allows the reader a glimpse of a family's love for each other and how war disrupts that. The theme revolves around the love of family despite the challenges and heartache that war brings to families throughout the world. I found the book touching and a powerful reminder of why people go to war at all. With a lengthier text and beautiful illustrations I can easily recommend this book. I do recommend keeping a kleenex handy.
May 25, 2014
I kept picking this book up whenever I visited the kids' section at Chapters, but always replaced it because, despite its importance and beautiful rendering, I knew that it would make me cry. And then I found it at the Scholastic book sale, and I just couldn't resist. It is the true story (maybe a little embellished with details, but not much!) about a child's teddy bear that was sent to the front in World War I to keep the girl's father company. While it may be difficult to get through, it is lovingly told by a descendant of the family, and carries an important message for children today who have yet to learn about the horrors of war: lest we forget.
November 8, 2018
This is a beautifully poignant true story about a Canadian family who was impacted, like so many others, by the First World War, when the father enlists to fight overseas. Told by through the eyes of a little girl's teddy bear, who accompanies her medic father onto the battlefield.
I read this to a class of grade 2s. The language was appropriate for that age level, but the text was a bit wordy, and I found myself skipping non-essential parts of the narrative so I wouldn't lose their attention. For slightly older classes it would probably be fine to read aloud in it's entirety.
Be forewarned, if you're a crier. This is a sad one.
I read this to a class of grade 2s. The language was appropriate for that age level, but the text was a bit wordy, and I found myself skipping non-essential parts of the narrative so I wouldn't lose their attention. For slightly older classes it would probably be fine to read aloud in it's entirety.
Be forewarned, if you're a crier. This is a sad one.
November 11, 2012
My only reason for not giving 5 stars is that it is a bit long for primary classes to hear. It is a touching story about a little girl's relationship with her dad, who is killed in the war. The bear itself was in battle and is now on display at the Canadian War Museum. Would be amazing to live closer and be able to visit it, but Victoria is a bit far off. Still, a worthy way to share an honest story of war with children.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2014
In the first story of Teddy, A Bear at War, we follow the little bear as he is shipped off to keep Aileen’s Daddy company during in the war. Her father never returned but Teddy did, and he now sits in a glass case inside the Canadian War Museum. A heart-warming story, with softly coloured illustrations, reminds us all to never forget those who fought for our freedoms. A wonderful story to be read and appreciated, by ages five to adult.
November 10, 2014
A poignant, subtle story about a family's loss to war told through the perspective of a stuffed bear sent to a soldier on the Western Front as part of a care package who was later killed in battle. A good World War I story told from a uniquely Canadian perspective and complemented with moving illustrations.
October 24, 2021
Based on a true story about a little girl who sends her Teddy bear to her dad on the frontlines during the First World War. The book is written from the perspective of Teddy who remains in dad's front pocket, offering him a sense of war and to keep him safe. Beautiful illustrations and I would love to see Teddy who now resides at the War Museum in Ottawa.
September 24, 2013
This story is told through the eyes of a teddy bear that a little girl sends to her father who is fighting in World War I. Her dad keeps the bear in his pocket while fighting all through the war. The bear is now on display in the Canadian War Musuem--what a sweet snapshot of history this book is!
April 21, 2018
I really enjoyed reading this book with my daughter. A sad, but true story. This book also has lovely illustrations. My husband & I really enjoyed seeing the original bear, Lawrence's military uniform, & some of the letters at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.
November 13, 2024
This was sitting on a display shelf at the library and I thought it was appropriate reading with Remembrance Day approaching. Just lovely. I don’t usually tear up when I read a book, but this one got me.
March 2, 2009
self-promotion....:-)
March 17, 2010
Whao even though this is a picture book I still liked it, it showed all the details in a single childrens book it truly is amazing!
October 11, 2011
Told from bears point of view.
November 12, 2015
i love this story but I forgot what disease did aileen have again?
Read
November 24, 2016Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award Nominee, Silver Birch Express Award Honour Book
November 10, 2017
A moving story that emphasizes the importance of remembering those we lost.
April 25, 2018
Didn't tell no one That this book made me cry. As a soldier, I can relate to the story. Oh yeah, I loved the story.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews