Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Brown Paper Teddy Bear
Illustrator: Neil Reed
Picture Book
For ages 3 to 6
Scholastic, 2004 ISBN: 978-0439639002
One night Jessica wakes up to find that there is a mysterious toy chest sitting in her room. The chest is full of old toy, including an well worn teddy bear that has been wrapped up in brown paper. When Jessica unwraps the bear he, for it is a he, does the most extraordinary thing - he stands up and talks to her. The bear then takes Jessica on an incredible journey to a playroom where all the toys move and talk, play and dance.
Jessica has a wonderful time riding the toy train, dancing with the pretty doll and marching up and down with the toy soldiers. It is only when she wakes up in the morning that Jessica finds out who the mysterious teddy bear really is.
Printed on paper much like the brown paper that the teddy bear was wrapped in, and filled with magical full page illustrations, this outsized picture book will sweep little children away on a wonderful adventure. After all who hasn't imagined what it might be like to see toys come alive and this picture book takes that imagined experience and gives it substance and a lasting way to relive the dream over and over.
