Upstairs, Downstairs: Bear's Summer
P.B. Bear Series
on Goodreads (8)
What’s inside...
It's the first day of the summer holidays and the Edwardian bears are leaving town by car and train to go to their country home in Blossom Melbury. Inspired by the television series Upstairs, Downstairs, this title was first published in hardback in 1997. Illustrated in full color.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Bear chose to explore the attic on a summer day?
What new things did Bear discover in the different rooms he visited?
How do you think Bear felt when he found the hidden treasures in the attic?
Can you think of a time when you discovered something new in our home? How did that make you feel?
If you could create a summer adventure like Bear, what would it look like?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the story to life, changing your tone and volume as Bear explores different parts of the house.
After reading, encourage your child to explore a safe part of your home or yard they might not usually visit, paralleling Bear’s adventure.
Discuss the importance of curiosity and how it helps us learn new things, relating it to Bear’s exploration in the book.
Help your child relate the story to their own experiences by asking them about their favorite summer activities or any fun discoveries they've made around the house.
Promote creativity by having your child draw or build their version of an attic adventure using art supplies or building blocks.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Exploration encourages curiosity and learning
Explanation: In 'Upstairs, Downstairs: Bear’s Summer,' Bear’s adventures around the house showcase how exploring new environments can lead to exciting discoveries and learning opportunities.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to explore their own environments, whether at home or outdoors, to learn more about the world around them and stimulate their curiosity.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Throughout the book, Bear encounters various challenges on his summer adventure that he must solve, such as finding his way when he gets lost.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to apply critical thinking to overcome obstacles they encounter in daily activities, enhancing their problem-solving capabilities.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Bear makes several mistakes during his adventures but learns valuable lessons from each, demonstrating the importance of resilience and learning from errors.
Real-World Application: This can teach children that making mistakes is a natural part of learning and that they can grow by understanding and correcting these mistakes.
Example Lesson: The joy of seasons
Explanation: The book highlights the different activities and scenes associated with summer, conveying the changes each season brings and the new opportunities it offers.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to observe and appreciate the changing seasons and explore season-specific activities, fostering a greater connection with nature.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship
Explanation: As Bear interacts with other characters, the story underscores the importance of friendship and cooperation.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the significance of building and maintaining friendships and how cooperation can lead to successful and enjoyable experiences.