Pocket Bear
by Katherine Applegate
Katherine Applegate has written another winner. Big time! If you think this looks like a cosy little book, think again. Her stories are always nail biters, adventurous, and have an underlying message of doing the right thing.
In WWI, pocket bears were made for soldiers to put in their front pockets. The eyes of the bears were sewn so they always looked up. When the soldier glanced down at his pocket, he saw the bear looking up at him. Really nice.
The story is complicated in the best of ways, just how Katherine Applegate engages her readers.
The book opens with the cat, Zephyrina, the underlying character who weaves the story. She is the glue, the humor.
Elizaveta (mother) and Dasha (daughter) are immigrants from Ukraine. After losing their dad/father to the war, they settled into a home and started Second Chances, a home for stuffed animals that have been abandoned. The toys are cleaned, mended, and ready for the lost and found.
Welcome to Second Chances Home
for the Tossed and Treasured.
Pocket Bear is in charge of the animals. Since he was in WWI, he is called Sarge by the other animals. They come alive at midnight, party, and settle down by dawn.
Zephyrina the cat is the one who often scrounges and finds stuffed animals for Second Chances. She finds Spaghetti, renamed Berwon, who happens to be one of the first teddy bears, made in Germany. Pocket Bear and Berwon become, of course, WWI war soulmates.
Enter evil Picky Vicky and good guy Jim who know the value of the bear. Of course the bear is stolen, and everything reaches a crescendo. Zephyrina somehow finds a way to recover the stolen priceless bear. More importantly, she sheds her aloof demeanor and understands the importance of kindness and stepping up to the plate to become a leader of the toys.
This book is one of the best. If you are a cat lover, a teddy bear lover, a history buff, wanting adventure and humor, or just wanting to feel good, this book is for you.
While Katherine Applegate writes for older children, frankly she is high on my list for adults. Really!
One of my favorite lines from the books is, “You can never lose a true friend. True friends are like stars: always there, even when you can’t see them.”
Her other books that I love are WishTree, The One and Only Ivan, and the DogTown series.
Jennie
Sounds good Jennie! I have a WW1 bear, but he wouldn’t fit in a pocket! I hadn’t heard of those before, will do some googling!
I hadn’t either until I read the book. Great history and an even greater story. Thanks, FR.
I’m in! “Picky Vicky” as a villain and a pocket bear…in charge, named Sarge!?!
So good! ❤️😉❤️
Yes, so good! Thanks, Vicki. 💕
Xo! 😘
I LOVE the sound of this book. We all know that children’s books are not just for children. It was C.S. Lewis who said: “A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.” He also said: “No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally – and often far more – worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond.” I love cats, teddy bears, history, adventure and humor, and I always want to feel good, So I guess I better get this book!
Darlene, it is SO good. You won’t be disappointed. C.S. Lewis was right, but so many adults don’t understand that and don’t read children’s books. Katherine Applegate is one of the best authors.
I’d never heard of pocket bears. What a darling book.
I hadn’t either, Jacqui. Such a great idea. Many thanks!
Such a great idea for a book, and it sounds perfect for many different ages. Thanks for the introduction to it, Jennie.
Best wishes, Pete.
I thought of you, Pete. I know you like history, and I had never heard of pocket bears in WWI. Yes, it’s perfect for many different ages. Best to you.
I didn’t know about the WWI pocket bears. The book sounds wonderful!!
I didn’t either! Thanks, Liz, it’s wonderful.
You’re welcome, Jennie!
I hadn’t heard of Pocket Bears before. It sounds like a great book. I’ll put it on my gifting list.
I hadn’t either, and it’s really a great book. Many thanks, Deborah.
This sounds absolutely wonderful, thank you for sharing it with us
Beth, this is your kind of book. Really.
Sounds like a super book, Jennie. Thanks for sharing
It is, John. Many thanks!
😊
Hi Jennie, this book sounds wonderful. I’m going to look forward it now. 🧸
I’m so glad, Robbie. This is right up your alley.
I didn’t know about pocket bears. This sounds like a delightful story. You find the best books, Jennie.
I didn’t either, Dan. Yes, it’s a great story. Many thanks, I do try to find the best books.
Like you, I’ve read quite a few Katherine Applegate books including The One and Only Ivan, Wishtree, Crenshaw, and Dogtown. I got Dogtown signed by Gennifer Choldenko at our children’s author festival.
That is so wonderful! Pete, this one is terrific. You will love it, and your library will have it. I haven’t read Crenshaw.
I did not know this about pocket bears! What a cool sounding book! I will try to keep it in mind for when Hudson gets older. He is still loving Goodnight, Moon; Once Upon a Potty; and some 1-2-3 books.
A wonderful review Jennie and what a beautiful thought a pocket bear for each soldier… you don’t have take now 💜💜
It really was something beautiful during the war. Thanks, Willow. 💕
Sweet!
😍
This was such a fun post and I also like that line about true friends and how they are there even when you can’t see them
Thank you for for that heart TUG!
I’m glad you enjoyed this, Prior. That line really stuck with me, too. Love heart tugs!
xxx
Oh wow! Thank you Jennie!
I learned something new tonight..Pocket Bear. Most intriguing.
The book sounds good, and thank you for reviewing it!
Amazing.
I also enjoy Katherine Applegate’s book, but didn’t know about this new one. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Jennie. Now off to google pocket bears.
Thanks, Carla. Honestly, I had no idea about WWI Pocket Bears until I read this book. It’s my library group book, too. The kids are so excited!