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Brown Paper Bear
A magical teddy bear leads Jess on an exciting journey to a place where stuffed toys can talk and porcelain dolls can dance.
Jess is sick in bed, and to make her feel better, Granddad promises her a brand-new teddy bear. But before she drifts off to sleep, Jess notices a small door that magically opens. Jess unties the ribbon around a brown paper bag and finds a careworn old teddy bear inside. He takes Jess on a wonderful adventure through the night sky to a place where toys come to life. Jess marches with toy soldiers, rides a toy train, and dances with a porcelain doll before she returns home to her loving grandfather.
Jess is sick in bed, and to make her feel better, Granddad promises her a brand-new teddy bear. But before she drifts off to sleep, Jess notices a small door that magically opens. Jess unties the ribbon around a brown paper bag and finds a careworn old teddy bear inside. He takes Jess on a wonderful adventure through the night sky to a place where toys come to life. Jess marches with toy soldiers, rides a toy train, and dances with a porcelain doll before she returns home to her loving grandfather.
32 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 13, 2013
In Brown Paper Teddy Bear, a magical light fills the room of a sleeping child. When she wakes she discovers a box of toys with a teddy bear wrapped inside a brown paper package. Upon opening, the bear comes to life and takes the girl on an adventure. The bear takes her to a room filled with old-fasthioned toys come to life. She spends the evening playing and dancing with her new friends, leading to a story ending that leaves you in wonder.
The illustrations in this book are so realistic AND magical. It reminded me of a favorite video from when I was a young child called Grandpa's Magical Toys. I can still remember that feeling of excitement and wonder at the possibility of being among toys brought to life, I have no doubt that a young child reading this book would feel similar emotions. I could see using the book as a read aloud for PreK-2nd.
The text accompanying the majestic illustrations is fairly simple, making it a good independent reading option for young children at around a first grade level. I could also see using this book to inspire some reluctant writers to explore writing fictional/fantasy text. It is always helpful to combine things that children know (here toys they are familiar with) and allow them to use their background to write a fictional story. I plan on using this story during my writers workshop to show how you can take ordinary objects you already know a lot about and turn them into something your reader may not be expecting.
The illustrations in this book are so realistic AND magical. It reminded me of a favorite video from when I was a young child called Grandpa's Magical Toys. I can still remember that feeling of excitement and wonder at the possibility of being among toys brought to life, I have no doubt that a young child reading this book would feel similar emotions. I could see using the book as a read aloud for PreK-2nd.
The text accompanying the majestic illustrations is fairly simple, making it a good independent reading option for young children at around a first grade level. I could also see using this book to inspire some reluctant writers to explore writing fictional/fantasy text. It is always helpful to combine things that children know (here toys they are familiar with) and allow them to use their background to write a fictional story. I plan on using this story during my writers workshop to show how you can take ordinary objects you already know a lot about and turn them into something your reader may not be expecting.
May 6, 2019
Such a sweet book. The illustrations are gorgeous. My daughter kept saying how everything looked so real...
September 11, 2017
It seems that a lot of thinking and preparation went into the making of this book. It's very creative witch beautiful images. The pages look and feel like brown paper, just like described in the story.
August 17, 2025
lol I’m putting this on here now cause I was just thinking about all the books that have made me, me, and this was the first one (that I remember, anyway). Gorgeous book that I read again and again and again as a small child - I THINK I still have my original copy <3
January 10, 2018
I was really excited for this book. It looked really cute especially since I love teddy bears, but my boyfriend and I were disappointed in it (we read it together).
Let me start off by saying I was really pleased by how the book was made. The size is giant (not a fan of how big it is), but I was pleased by the texture of the paper the story was printed on and how it resembled brown paper packaging which is part of the title and what the teddy bear was wrapped in. That being said, I thought that was clever and was eager to read the story.
[SPOILER AHEAD]
The illustrations aren't bad, but when the child flew away with the teddy bear we weren't sure at first if the teddy bear grew to be the child's size or if the child shrunk until the next pages where it was clear the child shrunk to be a toy's size, but nowhere in the story it talked about shrinking or anything like that.
It had an odd ending too. It was weird that it ended with, "I see you found my teddy bear.". I thought it was a bit creepy. Same thing with how the teddy bear winked. I feel like this story is missing some concrete details and more depth in the story, especially with the ending.
Let me start off by saying I was really pleased by how the book was made. The size is giant (not a fan of how big it is), but I was pleased by the texture of the paper the story was printed on and how it resembled brown paper packaging which is part of the title and what the teddy bear was wrapped in. That being said, I thought that was clever and was eager to read the story.
[SPOILER AHEAD]
The illustrations aren't bad, but when the child flew away with the teddy bear we weren't sure at first if the teddy bear grew to be the child's size or if the child shrunk until the next pages where it was clear the child shrunk to be a toy's size, but nowhere in the story it talked about shrinking or anything like that.
It had an odd ending too. It was weird that it ended with, "I see you found my teddy bear.". I thought it was a bit creepy. Same thing with how the teddy bear winked. I feel like this story is missing some concrete details and more depth in the story, especially with the ending.
December 29, 2021
I bought this book based on its cover, with the expectation that the art would be gorgeous. And it is, in most places. There are, however, certain spots (mainly the faces of the humans/dolls) that are almost nightmare fuel for me.
Despite these small issues, the story itself is very cute - it invites the child to imagine, fill in the blanks, and complete the actual text with other details from the illustrations themselves.
I would highly recommend it for smallish children (2/3-5?) as the text is short enough to not put their attention span to the test. (I would not read it before nap/bed-time before checking if the child is as bothered by the facial expressions of the humanoid characters as I am).
Despite these small issues, the story itself is very cute - it invites the child to imagine, fill in the blanks, and complete the actual text with other details from the illustrations themselves.
I would highly recommend it for smallish children (2/3-5?) as the text is short enough to not put their attention span to the test. (I would not read it before nap/bed-time before checking if the child is as bothered by the facial expressions of the humanoid characters as I am).
May 19, 2022
A beautiful nostalgic children's book that would definitely draw reluctant readers in. An adventure that features a mysterious toy chest and a cute cuddly teddy bear, what more could a child want? I loved the vintage vibe and art style of this book and the charming ending will warm your heart. This is a wholesome, feel good book that should be on every child's shelf.
March 17, 2017
The pages... I've never seen anything like it (exclude pop-up books pls lol ). Lovely illustration tho.
Read
July 8, 2021I kept on rereading and looking at the enchanting artwork in this one.
December 16, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book, because of the illustrations. I look forward to sharing the story with my grandchildren.
February 8, 2022
One of my favorite children's books. Absolutely magical.
November 30, 2022
A grandfather's love is shown through the eyes of a Teddy Bear. Meeting new friends and riding the train along the way.
Read
May 16, 2012A little girl discovers an old toy box hiding in her room and finds a teddy bear wrapped in a brown paper. When she unwraps the teddy bear, the bear takes her on an adventure to meet his friends.
The pages are printed on Kraft book paper and the cover is the bear wrapped in the brown paper. oversized picture book.
The pages are printed on Kraft book paper and the cover is the bear wrapped in the brown paper. oversized picture book.
December 22, 2008
This is a beautiful book. The pages are made of heavy brown paper, I love the illustrations of old toys. I also like how parts of the illustrations are shiny, and other parts are not. A very beautiful, quality book about a girl and her toys that come to life.
September 25, 2012
Such a beautifully illustrated, sweet childrens book. I wanted this purely to make my book shelf look good (I love teddy bears!) but have actually read the story a few times - it's lovely. I would recommend for all young children, or for anyone who wants to add to a beautiful bookshelf...
January 21, 2016
The story was a little strange, but my kids loved it. It was magical and I could see how any kid would love for this to really happen to them. It reminds me of dreams that I have had. The illustrations are beautiful and the story was enchanting.
October 27, 2007
a very beautiful book to go along with a sweet story.
December 19, 2008
The greatest appeal in this book for me were the unique, thick brown pages filled with great illustrations. A journey to a magical playroom.
July 1, 2010
Jessica meets and bear and friends. She learns that the bear was her grandfather's.
August 14, 2016
Beautiful illustrations. Kids love the idea of toys coming to life.
June 23, 2012
The illustrations for this book are superb, and the format large enough to share with a group of children. Those who have a beloved toy will enjoy this.
December 24, 2012
The story in this book is wonderful, and the bear is adorable. The illustrations are unique and wonderfully drawn.
August 24, 2013
I don't like he idea of having antique toys coming to life, but the vocabulary used in this book was easy to understand and the illustrations were rich. I'd like to read more books by these author.
December 18, 2013
Really great story, I really love the images and pictures throughout the book.
September 19, 2016
Too cute! Perfect before bedtime story for a 2-5 year old.
February 25, 2020
3.5 Stars.
A cute, sweet and fun story. Quick light read for the kiddos. The illustrations in this book are incredibly beautiful as well.
A cute, sweet and fun story. Quick light read for the kiddos. The illustrations in this book are incredibly beautiful as well.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews