The New Bear at School
Boris Series
What’s inside...
Boris the bear is new at school--and all the other animals are afraid of him! Pitch-perfect writing and delightfully charming illustrations will make this a treasured starting school story. It's hard enough being the new kid at school, but when you're a big bear like Boris, it's even worse! Poor Boris tries his best to be gentle, but his sharp-toothed smile scares away his classmates. In the end, the animals find they love having Boris on their side! With a heartwarming story and charming illustrations, THE NEW BEAR AT SCHOOL will touch anyone who has ever felt left out.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Boris felt on his first day at school?
What are some ways the other bears could have made Boris feel more welcome?
Can you think of a time when you met someone new? How did you make them feel included?
Why do you think it's important to be kind and friendly to everyone?
What would you do if you were in Boris's place at your school?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in Boris's shoes, fostering empathy and understanding.
Highlight the importance of friendship and kindness, discussing how small actions can make a big impact on someone's day.
Ask your child to relate the story to their own experiences at school or with new people, which connects the book's themes to their world.
Use the question about including others to brainstorm friendly strategies they can use in real-life social situations.
Reinforce the lessons from the book by discussing and praising instances where your child acts kindly or inclusively, linking their actions to positive outcomes like in the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Acceptance and Inclusion
Explanation: Boris, the new bear at school, experiences challenges being accepted by his classmates due to his differences. Over time, Boris wins over his classmates through his kind gestures.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to embrace diversity and include peers who may seem different from themselves, promoting a harmonious social environment.
Example Lesson: Dealing with Bullying
Explanation: When Boris faces exclusion and teasing, the story shows how he handles the situation positively by not responding with negativity.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to respond to bullying with resilience and seek support from adults like teachers and parents.
Example Lesson: The Power of Kindness
Explanation: Boris eventually wins the hearts of his classmates through acts of kindness, illustrating how positive behavior can influence and change the perceptions of others.
Real-World Application: Kids are prompted to act kindly towards others, understanding that such behavior can foster friendships and better social interactions.
Example Lesson: Building Self-esteem
Explanation: Despite initially feeling upset and out of place, Boris finds confidence and acceptance, showing children that being true to oneself is valuable.
Real-World Application: This helps children to be confident in their unique qualities and persist in the face of social adversities.
Example Lesson: Learning from Teachers
Explanation: The teachers in the story play a crucial role in helping Boris integrate and educating the other students on acceptance.
Real-World Application: It underscores the role of educators in guiding social dynamics and promoting an inclusive atmosphere in the classroom.