Nothing Can Frighten a Bear

When Baby Bear hears a 'scritch-scratch' sound in the middle of the night, he is convinced a monster is nearby. Daddy Bear, boasting of his own bravery, leads the family into the dark woods to investigate. After a series of comedic misunderstandings and jumpy moments, they discover the 'monster' is something much smaller and less threatening than imagined. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals with fear of the dark and monsters. The approach is secular and metaphorical, using the bears' journey to represent the way our imagination can run away with us. The resolution is hopeful and lighthearted. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story begins with high tension and anxiety, builds into a fast-paced and humorous adventure, and ends with a feeling of security and familial warmth. IDEAL READER: A preschooler or early elementary student who has recently started experiencing 'bumps in the night' or who feels embarrassed about being afraid. It is especially good for children who view their parents as fearless and need to see that everyone feels scared sometimes. PARENT TRIGGER: This is for the parent who has been woken up three nights in a row by a child claiming there is a monster in the closet. PARENT PREP: The book can be read cold. The text is rhythmic and repetitive, making it a great choice for a dramatic read-aloud. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger children (3-4) will focus on the security of the family staying together in the dark. Older children (5-7) will appreciate the irony and humor of Daddy Bear's bravado versus his actual jumpiness. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many 'monster' books that focus on befriending a creature, this one focuses on the absurdity of fear itself and the way a family unit can tackle anxiety through shared action and humor.