About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels like they do not fit in or is struggling to find their own special talent while watching others succeed. It is a perfect choice for kids who feel a bit 'clumsy' or 'too big' for the activities their friends are doing. In the Jingle Jangle Jungle, a circus has arrived, and every animal has a flashy trick except for Bear. While his friends balance and tumble, Bear feels the sting of comparison and jealousy. However, through a series of humorous mishaps, he discovers that being himself is the cleverest trick of all. It is a gentle, funny exploration of self-confidence and the realization that everyone has a unique contribution to make, even if it doesn't look like everyone else's.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
None. The story focuses on internal feelings of inadequacy and self-discovery without external threats or harm.
Ideal Reader
A preschooler who is starting to compare their abilities to those of their peers, or a child who enjoys physical comedy and animal characters.
Parent Prep
This book can be read cold. The rhyming scheme makes it an easy, rhythmic read-aloud. A child saying 'I'm not good at anything' or 'Why can't I do what they do?'
Age Experience
For a 2-year-old, the focus will be on the vibrant illustrations and the funny animals. A 5-year-old will more keenly feel Bear's social anxiety and the triumph of his eventual success.
What Makes It Special
Nick Bland's signature 'Bear' series uses humor and exaggerated physical comedy to make heavy emotional themes like jealousy and inadequacy feel manageable and lighthearted for the youngest readers.
Read plot summary
The circus arrives in the Jingle Jangle Jungle. Zebra, Lion, and Elephant all showcase traditional circus talents like acrobatics and balancing. Bear tries to mimic them but fails, feeling increasingly left out and envious. Ultimately, Bear uses his natural traits and a bit of creativity to create a 'trick' that is uniquely his, earning the admiration of his peers.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
How did Bear feel when he saw Zebra, Lion, and Elephant doing their circus tricks?
2
Bear tried to do the same tricks as his friends but it didn't work. Why is it okay that Bear couldn't balance like Elephant?
3
What was the 'clever' thing Bear did at the end? Was it a circus trick, or was he just being himself?
4
If you were in the Jingle Jangle Jungle circus, what would your special trick be?
