Big Bear Was Not the Same

by Joanna Rowland (Author) John Ledda (Illustrator)

Reading Level: K − 1st Grade
One scary day can change everything . . . Little Bear loves the woods, his home, and going on adventures with his best friend, Big Bear. Big Bear is so big and strong and brave. He always protects Little Bear and helps him feel safe. Then something scary happens to Big Bear. He's caught in a forest fire. Even after he escapes and is safe, Little Bear can tell that Big Bear is not the same. He runs, roars, or freezes in fear when ordinary things happen in the woods that remind him of that traumatic day. How can Little Bear's big, strong, brave friend be so scared now? And how can Little Bear be a good friend? In Big Bear Was Not the Same, Joanna Rowland, author of the best selling book The Memory Box, gently introduces young readers to the common feelings of fear, anxiety, and anger that can follow a traumatic event, and shows them how to have empathy and compassion for themselves and for loved ones experiencing the effects of trauma. Includes backmatter written by a family therapist with information on how to talk about trauma with children.
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Hardcover
$17.99

Publishers Weekly

Rowland uses a pair of bear best friends, Big Bear, who is a grizzly, and Little Bear, who is a black bear, to illustrate trauma and trauma responses, describing what happens after Big Bear survives a forest fire. Not quite understanding why his big, brave friend is acting so differently, Little Bear does his best to be supportive and help Big Bear cope. Rowland employs easily comprehensible language to explain how PTSD can be triggered: “Some days, Little Bear/ and Big Bear had good days/ that almost felt normal again./ But one smell could change it all.” In his picture book debut, Ledda presents digital illustrations of expressive characters, seamlessly reflecting the text’s shifting emotions through varying color schemes, perspectives, and typography. An accessible, age-appropriate primer that sheds light on trauma and PTSD. Back matter includes more information. Ages 4–7. (Aug.)

Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with Permission

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781506471419
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Beaming Books
Publication date
August 24, 2021
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV002030 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Bears
JUV039240 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Depression & Mental Illness
Library of Congress categories
Bears
Friendship
Best friends
Fear
Post-traumatic stress disorder

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