Where's Bearry?
What’s inside...
Where's Bearry? is a delightful tale that follows the adventures of a young protagonist and their lovable bear companion, Bearry. As they embark on a journey filled with challenges and surprises, they learn the value of friendship and the joy of exploring the world around them. Joe Gatto—comedian, actor, producer, and star of the hit series Impractical Jokers—makes his picture book debut with this hilarious and heartwarming bedtime adventure about a boy's quest to find his missing stuffed bear, brought to life by exciting illustrations from Luke Flowers. After a long day of play, Joe has brushed his teeth, put his pajamas on, and gotten into bed, ready to sleep. Nothing can separate him from the sweet dreams he’s about to have. Except… where’s Bearry?! Joe NEEDS his stuffed teddy bear to sleep. Not only does Bearry protect him from monsters, spiders, and sharks, but he’s great at cuddling and keeps the bad dreams away. He’s the perfect best friend and now he’s missing! With bedtime looming and his emotions racing, will Joe be able to take some deep breaths, calm himself, and continue his search? Or will Bearry be lost forever?
Age
2-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Bearry decided to hide? What emotions might he be feeling?
What would you do if you were looking for Bearry? How would you try to find him?
How did the other characters react to Bearry's absence? What does that tell us about friendship?
Can you think of a time when you played hide and seek? How did you feel during the game?
What do you think is the most important message of 'Where's Bearry?' and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, relating it to their own experiences of playing hide and seek or feeling hidden.
Ask your child to describe what they would do in the characters' situations, fostering empathy and problem-solving skills.
Discuss the emotions depicted in the book, asking your child to identify different emotions and share times they have felt the same way.
Highlight the themes of friendship and support, prompting your child to talk about their friends and how they help each other.
Use expressive read-aloud techniques, changing your voice for different characters and pausing to let your child guess what might happen next.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: In 'Where's Bearry?', the main character uses clues and critical thinking to locate Bearry. This encourages children to think logically and sequentially.
Real-World Application: Children can apply problem-solving skills in everyday situations like finding a lost item or resolving simple conflicts among friends.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The protagonist seeks help from friends to find Bearry, showcasing the importance of collaborative effort and asking for help when needed.
Real-World Application: Kids learn the significance of working together, which can be practiced during group activities in school or playtime.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The story emphasizes the protagonist's sense of duty to find Bearry, underlining the importance of taking responsibility for one’s belongings and actions.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the need to care for their own items and be accountable for their actions at home and school.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: Despite challenges, the character remains determined to find Bearry, illustrating the value of persistence and not giving up easily.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to persist in tasks such as learning a new skill or completing homework, even when it is difficult.
Example Lesson: Attention to Detail
Explanation: The search for Bearry involves noticing small details and subtle hints. This encourages sharp observation skills among readers.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to pay attention to detail, which can help in tasks like following instructions in school assignments or noticing important cues in social interactions.