The Dancing Bear
What’s inside...
A gentle and deeply moving story of a young girl and her bear, told with great charm by the nation's favourite storyteller, Michael Morpugo. High in the mountains, in a tiny village, an abandoned bear cub is adopted by a lonely orphan child. Soon they are inseparable, beloved by the whole village - safe, until the arrival of a glamorous film crew who need a dancing bear. In this timeless story about the loss of innocence, Roxanne adopts a bear cub, and the two become inseparable, until a rock star comes to the small mountain village to film a video and Roxanne leaves her friend behind forever.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Bruno felt when he was performing, and why?
What kind of relationship do Bruno and the narrator have? How does it change throughout the story?
What does the story teach us about freedom and happiness?
How do the villagers' attitudes towards Bruno change, and what causes these changes?
If you were in the story, what would you do to help Bruno?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine the characters' emotions and motivations, enhancing their empathy and understanding. Discuss the moral dilemmas presented in the story to help develop critical thinking. Use the contrasting settings in the book — the village and the wild — to explore themes of environment and belonging with your child. Relate the story's themes to real-life situations to make the conversation more relevant and engaging.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: In 'The Dancing Bear', the story revolves around a young orphaned bear and a girl named Roxanne who helps rescue him. The narrative helps children understand and feel the emotions of others, promoting a sense of compassion towards animals and people alike.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by recognizing situations in daily life where they can show kindness and understanding towards their friends, animals, and family members, fostering a caring community.
Example Lesson: Bravery in the Face of Adversity
Explanation: Roxanne displays immense courage as she strives to protect and care for an orphaned bear against many challenges. This act of bravery underscores the importance of standing up for what is right, even when it's difficult.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to face their own challenges bravely, whether it’s standing up for a classmate, trying a new activity, or speaking out about what they believe is right.
Example Lesson: The Importance of Friendship
Explanation: The bond between Roxanne and the bear illustrates the powerful impact of friendship. Through their companionship, both characters experience growth and overcome hardships, emphasizing the value of friends in one's life.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be mirrored in a child’s life as they learn to build and cherish friendships, understanding how important it is to support and grow with each other.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and Caretaking
Explanation: As Roxanne takes responsibility for the bear, she learns important caretaking skills. This storyline can be a gentle introduction to the concepts of responsibility and caring for another life.
Real-World Application: Children can embrace responsibility in small ways, such as by taking care of a pet, helping with younger siblings, or managing their own belongings, enhancing their sense of responsibility.
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature
Explanation: The narrative of 'The Dancing Bear' subtly teaches the importance of respecting and preserving wildlife. It educates children on the impact humans have on nature and the importance of proactive conservation efforts.
Real-World Application: This lesson can translate into everyday activities such as recycling, conserving water, and learning about local wildlife, helping children become conscientious stewards of the environment.