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The Best-Loved Bear
There is a best loved bear competition at school and Tim is going to enter his teddy bear, Toby. But Toby is threadbare and very scruffy. He even has a plaster on his nose! Tim starts to worry. What will everyone say when they see such an old and battered bear...?
- GenresChildrensPicture Books
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
About the author
Diana Noonan
286 books5 followersDiana Noonan is a celebrated New Zealand author who has made a significant contribution to children's literature. Born in Dunedin in 1960, she attended Waihola Primary School and Tokomairiro High School before completing a degree in English at the University of Otago in 1980. She followed this with a teaching diploma and spent four years teaching in secondary schools before turning to writing full-time.
In 1993, Noonan was appointed Writer in Residence at the Dunedin College of Education. She also served as editor of the New Zealand School Journal for eight years, further solidifying her influence on educational and children’s publishing in New Zealand.
Her writing career includes a wide range of fiction and non-fiction titles, many of which have been recognized with national awards. Among her most celebrated works is Quaky Cat, a picture book written in response to the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. The book, which tells the story of a cat experiencing the disaster, raised over $150,000 for the Christchurch earthquake appeal through donated royalties. For this contribution, Noonan and illustrator Gavin Bishop received the North West Christchurch Award in 2012.
Over the years, Noonan has earned multiple accolades. Her picture books and non-fiction titles have frequently been finalists in the LIANZA Awards and the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. She won the Aim Children's Book Award for Best Junior Fiction in 1994 with A Dolphin in the Bay, and for Best Picture Book in 1995 with The Best Loved Bear. Her commitment to both storytelling and education was acknowledged in 2022 when she received the prestigious Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal, honoring her outstanding contribution to literature for young people in New Zealand.
Diana Noonan’s work continues to resonate with readers, educators, and critics alike, combining storytelling with empathy, environmental awareness, and educational value.
In 1993, Noonan was appointed Writer in Residence at the Dunedin College of Education. She also served as editor of the New Zealand School Journal for eight years, further solidifying her influence on educational and children’s publishing in New Zealand.
Her writing career includes a wide range of fiction and non-fiction titles, many of which have been recognized with national awards. Among her most celebrated works is Quaky Cat, a picture book written in response to the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. The book, which tells the story of a cat experiencing the disaster, raised over $150,000 for the Christchurch earthquake appeal through donated royalties. For this contribution, Noonan and illustrator Gavin Bishop received the North West Christchurch Award in 2012.
Over the years, Noonan has earned multiple accolades. Her picture books and non-fiction titles have frequently been finalists in the LIANZA Awards and the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. She won the Aim Children's Book Award for Best Junior Fiction in 1994 with A Dolphin in the Bay, and for Best Picture Book in 1995 with The Best Loved Bear. Her commitment to both storytelling and education was acknowledged in 2022 when she received the prestigious Storylines Margaret Mahy Medal, honoring her outstanding contribution to literature for young people in New Zealand.
Diana Noonan’s work continues to resonate with readers, educators, and critics alike, combining storytelling with empathy, environmental awareness, and educational value.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 29, 2020
Loved this book so much as a kid.
November 22, 2012
A heart-warming story about a child who is embarrassed about entering his old, worn out bear into a best-loved bear competition. His bear wins first prize as it is clear he has been 'loved to bits'. This book is beautifully illustrated and is a story of which young children can relate to. Best suited for children aged 4-6.
August 17, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this book to my son. It was recommended to me by portage, mainly because my son has a bear of his own he loves.
It is a really charming story. Tim has a bear he loves so much it is falling to pieces, and to mark the start of the school holidays there is a best loved bear competition.
The art work is as beautiful as they story, I highly recommend it.
It is a really charming story. Tim has a bear he loves so much it is falling to pieces, and to mark the start of the school holidays there is a best loved bear competition.
The art work is as beautiful as they story, I highly recommend it.
November 13, 2011
DARLING book about a boy who has to bring his bear to school for a 'best loved' contest. He at first was nervous about his bear being so 'tattered' but of course his beat up bear gets the prize. A darling story.
December 16, 2008
This is an easy to read story reminiscent of The Velveteen Rabbit. In this case, there is a competition in Tim's class for the best-loved bear. He wants to enter Toby, but he's a real mess from all the loving Tim has done. Tim had hugged off most of Toby's fur, shared his ice cream with Toby, making him sticky, etc. He tried to remedy the damage, but carries Toby to school in a bag because he's kind of ashamed of how "tatty" he looked.
As the judge picks up each bear brought to school and comments on how loved they look, Tim gets more and more embarrassed -- especially when the judge picks up Toby and calls him "an interesting bear." Of course, as you've probably guessed, the judge sees the flaws as evidence of how much loving Toby got, and Toby wins the competition.
The pictures really make the book, as the theme is not that unusual. It's still a warm and cuddly read if you have a child snuggled up next to you, and though the theme is often used, it's still a valid one. If a child is too young to appreciate the Velveteen Rabbit, I recommend this as an age-appropriate, well illustrated presentation of the theme.
As the judge picks up each bear brought to school and comments on how loved they look, Tim gets more and more embarrassed -- especially when the judge picks up Toby and calls him "an interesting bear." Of course, as you've probably guessed, the judge sees the flaws as evidence of how much loving Toby got, and Toby wins the competition.
The pictures really make the book, as the theme is not that unusual. It's still a warm and cuddly read if you have a child snuggled up next to you, and though the theme is often used, it's still a valid one. If a child is too young to appreciate the Velveteen Rabbit, I recommend this as an age-appropriate, well illustrated presentation of the theme.
August 6, 2016
This book description says it's original title is 'The Best Loved Bear' and the reviews also seem to be for ' The Best Loved Bear'. I have not read The Best Loved Bear - the Best Dressed Bear is by the same author, but a different book.
It is about a little boy who becomes anxious about growing up, when he sees his mother packing away some of his old clothes (including his Playcentre top that his Dad knitted - I really liked the NZ reference to Playcentre, and also the fact that it was his father that did the knitting). When his mum catches him trying to put the clothes back on and crying over the fact they no longer fit him, he explains how he doesn't want to grow up and just wants things to be the same. In the end he is calmed by his mother telling him some of the good things about growing up and he comes up with the idea of dressing his much loved teddy in the clothes so he can hold onto them a bit longer. A simple but touching wee story with nice illustrations - my three year old really enjoyed it, and I enjoyed reading it to her.
It is about a little boy who becomes anxious about growing up, when he sees his mother packing away some of his old clothes (including his Playcentre top that his Dad knitted - I really liked the NZ reference to Playcentre, and also the fact that it was his father that did the knitting). When his mum catches him trying to put the clothes back on and crying over the fact they no longer fit him, he explains how he doesn't want to grow up and just wants things to be the same. In the end he is calmed by his mother telling him some of the good things about growing up and he comes up with the idea of dressing his much loved teddy in the clothes so he can hold onto them a bit longer. A simple but touching wee story with nice illustrations - my three year old really enjoyed it, and I enjoyed reading it to her.
June 27, 2014
Well-loved children's story. There is a best-loved bear competition at school. Toby is worried to take his favourite bear into school because he is old, has ice cream stains down him, has a bandage on his ear, has fur missing etc. On the way to school, he sees children carrying their teddy bears in with pride. Lots of the teddy bears are new and shiny. He decides to leave his teddy hidden in a paper bag until he puts his bear on the table with all the others. The head teacher ends up choosing his bear as the winner of the competition because although it isn't the newest or shiniest, it is clearly the best-loved! At the end, Toby walks home proudly carrying his bear on his shoulders.
Great illustrations and a great lesson to be learnt.
Great illustrations and a great lesson to be learnt.
September 11, 2019
I've actually read 'The Best-Dressed Bear' but I can't find it. Cute story though.
December 31, 2022
Akin to the story, well, condition of my 'best-loved bear' which has been mended and almost no fur left, the apparent evidence of a well-loved bear. The little boy in the story is asked to put his bear into a competition with the rest of his classmate's bears, but his was so warn and damaged so he tries to fix it, making it look even worse, but in the end, the teacher knew the bear was loved the most, which is all that counts. Lovely hand drawn pictures, easy language and suitable for beginner readers with some help.
July 24, 2023
What a beautiful story and what a lovely ending. It certainly teaches you that simple is the best. We shouldn't be something we are not and that you should never judge a book by its cover! All in all, let's all take a step back and single out someone in the room that is lonely and that needs a friend or someone to love them. My daughter loved it and wanted me to read it again and again! Please buy it I cannot recommend it enough!
October 12, 2014
An endearing read. Every child who has a well loved toy will appreciate this one.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews