Throwaway Bear

by Sandy Nightengale

Spoiled Sophie doesn’t want her Birthday Bear, so the little teddy finds himself stuffed into a garbage can. But his adventures have only just begun. Half-buried by a dog, ridiculed by rabbits, and picked at by a raven, the bear is very much the worse for wear when he’s finally fished out of a pond by a little boy named Paul. A beautifully illustrated tale about a Throwaway Bear who, at last, finds someone to love and care for him. Sandy Nightingale is an author and illustrator whose books include A Giraffe on the Moon, One Pink Pig, I’m a Little Monster, and The Witch’s Spell.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2001

Reviews

[Katrine Engelhardt Thomsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A traumatic tale for any one who has ever lost a beloved teddy bear.

Thankfully the author lets this bear find a happy forever home (sorry about the spoiler, but now you can read without skipping ahead and just enjoy the story).

The book is also a great way to teach kids about lost and found items and the joy of restoring something broken rather than always buying something new.

[Ruenn Shy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Poor Throwaway Bear. He finds himself in the rubbish bin after spoilt Sophie discards him. But that's only the beginning of his adventures. Soon he's half-buried by a dog, pounced upon by rabbits and dropped into deep lake by a raven. Luckily a boy called Paul discovers Throwaway Bear, and he has a brilliant idea."
It just reminds me of the Pixar's animation - The Toy Stories...how toys are being forgotten/abandoned/abused/throwaway. But Andy is not like Sophie, not at all!
I like this book as it reminds me not to spoil my child, I shall teach my child to be grateful, appreciative, respectful, loving and benevolence! I remember I was taught to repair things including toys whenever they are broken instead of buying new ones to replace the broken one, that way I am grateful and appreciative for what I have. Otherwise, I would become Sophie and I would take things for granted and thinking that things can always be replaced.
This is a beautiful story with beautiful illustrations indeed.

[Dee-Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sad story but had a happy ending. Great pictures, but there were a few too many words for my son to appreciate ... so basically I just read the story according to what the pictures told me. The pictures, as mentioned were extraordinary and could tell the story or 'a' story just from them.

[Serge Smagarinsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could do with a shorter would count but does a great job of pulling on the emotions from two perspectives. Also does a good job of teaching a great life lesson without being too didactic.