Bear and Friends: Pup Is Lost

by Jody Jensen Shaffer, Clair Rossiter (Illustrator)

Highlights Puzzle Readers offer an innovative approach to learning that integrates puzzles and stories to develop motivated, confident readers. These Level P books are perfect for kids just beginning to read simple sentences.

Fox can’t find his black-and-white puppy—where could Pup be? In this Level P Highlights Puzzle Reader, kids can join in the search and then find hidden letters throughout the book. The simple text has lots of picture support that will keep readers turning the pages. With a bonus matching activity to reinforce vocabulary, kids will love playing along in this forest adventure.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

24 pages, Hardcover

Published March 15, 2022

About the author

Jody Jensen Shaffer is an award-winning poet and the author of more than 70 books of fiction and nonfiction for children, including PRUDENCE THE PART-TIME COW, a Missouri Show Me Award finalist for 2019-2020 and Missouri’s choice for the National Book Festival in 2017, A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK, nominee for the 2021-2022 Iowa Goldfinch Award, IT’S YOUR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, BUSY BUS!, an Amazon best-seller and Amazon Prime Book Box pick for September 2019, EMERGENCY KITTENS!, WHO IS JACKIE CHAN? and more. Jody’s poetry and fiction have been published in magazines like Highlights, Ladybug, and Clubhouse Jr. Jody lives in Liberty, Missouri, with her family. When she’s not writing, Jody can be found spending time with family and walking her rescue dog, Sophie.

Reviews

[David Carriere]

Bear and Friends: Pup Is Lost is a charming and thoughtfully designed early reader that blends storytelling and play in a way young children naturally respond to. With its gentle forest setting and clear emotional hook, the story immediately invites readers into Fox’s worry as he searches for his missing black and white puppy.

What truly sets this book apart is how seamlessly it integrates learning into the narrative. The simple sentences are supported by expressive illustrations, while the hidden letter puzzles encourage children to slow down, observe closely, and actively participate in the reading experience. Rather than interrupting the story, the puzzles deepen engagement and build confidence with every page turned.

Warm, accessible, and developmentally smart, Bear and Friends: Pup Is Lost succeeds as both a story and a learning tool. It is an inviting introduction to independent reading that helps young readers feel capable, curious, and eager to continue exploring books on their own.

[Katie Lawrence]

Part of the Highlights Puzzle Readers series where you have things to look for on every page - in this case a little puppy and the letter P. However, the puppy is not actually hidden on every page, which was really confusing to me as an adult. I'd think kids would be equally baffled by this. The text is simple and the artwork is very charming with the wide eyed animal friends.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Cecile]

My pre-reader enjoys these. They are repackaged material from Highlights magazine for children.