A Spiritual Dog "Bear"
What’s inside...
The story is about an adorable dog named Bear who was adopted from an animal shelter when he was eight weeks old. Bear was a little puppy with jet-black curly hair, and soon grew into a twenty-eight pound adult dog full of energy. Throughout his thirteen years of life, Bear gave love to his family and everyone he met. This book is a wholesome story about a beautiful, kind animal that will appeal to people of all ages, Animal Shelters, Children's reading groups, and anyone who loves animals. It also makes for a good bedtime story.
Age
3-12
Length
54 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did Bear teach you about kindness and helping others?
How did Bear show courage in the story? Can you think of a time when you were brave like Bear?
Bear had many friends in the story. Why do you think friendships are important?
How did Bear handle situations that were difficult or scary?
What was your favorite part of Bear's adventures and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your own thoughts about Bear's qualities and actions, setting a comfortable tone for your child to open up about their views.
Ask your child to draw a scene from the book where Bear helped someone. Discuss the drawing, focusing on Bear’s emotions and choices.
Relate Bear’s experiences to real-life situations your child may face, like making new friends or dealing with challenges, to deepen their understanding and empathy.
Use praise to encourage your child’s thoughts and opinions, validating their feelings as they relate to the story’s themes.
After discussing the questions, consider re-reading favorite parts of the book together, focusing on how Bear's spiritual journey can be inspiring.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: Bear's interactions with other animals and his responses to their feelings and needs teach children about empathy. This is demonstrated through scenes where Bear helps other characters despite their differences.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by helping their friends or family members when they are upset or need assistance, reinforcing the importance of understanding others' feelings.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Bear takes care of his environment and the animals within it. This aspect of the story emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility not just for oneself but also for one's surroundings.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to take responsibility for their actions at home and school, such as cleaning up after themselves and taking care of their belongings.
Example Lesson: The power of kindness
Explanation: Bear consistently uses kindness to interact with others, resolving conflicts and creating friendships. This effectively highlights the power of kindness in overcoming differences.
Real-World Application: Children learn that kind actions, such as sharing and speaking kindly, can lead to positive outcomes in their interactions.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Throughout his journey, Bear faces various challenges but never gives up. His perseverance in overcoming obstacles is a central theme.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of persistence in difficult situations, whether it is completing a challenging task or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: Bear shows deep respect for his surroundings and all living things, which is conveyed through his gentle interaction with nature.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to interact respectfully with nature, learning to appreciate and care for their environment.