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Young Taylor Rose receives a teddy bear as a favor while attending her best friend’s birthday party. She names him Mr. Bear, and they become almost inseparable companions. Mr. Bear is a constant source of comfort for Taylor and even comes with her on trips throughout the world. As time goes on and Taylor grows older, they spend more and more time apart. However, Mr. Bear is always patient as he rests on Taylor’s bedroom shelf, waiting for the day when she will return for him. And one day, that patience is rewarded. Taylor, now married and with her own little girl on the way, comes to retrieve Mr. Bear for the nursery in their new home. Meanwhile, Mr. Bear looks forward to meeting and watching over the child in the future.
Stories about the friendship between children and their toys are always heartwarming, and Trott deftly captures the wholesomeness that comes from a child loving and sharing fond memories with a stuffed friend. The narrative subtly shows how it is a little sad to see them grow apart as time goes on but also uplifting because the child learns to form other strong connections and stand on their own two feet. What is nice about this story is how the author ensures that young readers learn about that progression until they can see things come full circle. They are sure to cheer when Taylor comes back for her old friend and for Mr. Bear as he gets ready to be there for another little girl. The story is appropriate to read either for story time at a daycare or right before bed at home, especially for any child with a strong attachment to a stuffed animal. Trott’s book is full of wholesome fun.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review