The Lazy Bear
on Goodreads (36)
What’s inside...
A simple moral tale of a bear who tries to bully his friends, is punished, and forgiven. A normally thoughtful bear becomes lazy and downright unkind after he discovers a wagon to play with.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the bear in the story is considered lazy, and how do his friends react to this?
What are some ways the bear could have been helpful to his friends?
How did the bear's behavior change by the end of the story, and what do you think caused this change?
If you were in this story, what advice would you give to the bear?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts about the bear’s actions and how they affected others in the story.
Ask your child how they would feel if they had a friend like the bear, fostering empathy and perspective-taking.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and helping others, connecting the story's themes to real-life experiences.
Praise your child for insightful or creative answers to help build their confidence in expressing their opinions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of hard work
Explanation: In 'The Lazy Bear', the bear learns that by avoiding work and responsibilities, he misses out on important aspects of life, such as gathering food for winter.
Real-World Application: Children can understand the value of participating in chores and responsibilities at home and school, learning the benefits of diligence and preparation.
Example Lesson: Consequences of laziness
Explanation: The bear faces difficulties during winter because he chose to be lazy during the other seasons, demonstrating the repercussions of inaction.
Real-World Application: This serves as a practical lesson for children to stay active and engaged, teaching them to avoid procrastination and understand the consequences of their actions.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: After suffering from his own mistakes, the bear realizes the importance of hard work and changes his ways.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to see mistakes as learning opportunities, prompting personal growth and the ability to change for the better.