I Am A Bear

by Jean-François Dumont

An emotionally stirring book about kindness and friendship

Life isn’t easy for a bear. Not when he has to sleep on the sidewalk among cardboard boxes and old clothes. Not when he lives in a city full of people who are repulsed by him. Not when he’s hungry and homeless. But one day a young girl smiles at the bear, and he realizes that maybe there is something that could make life a bit easier -- a friend.

This poignant, heartwarming tale will move readers of all ages and inspire them to be more compassionate and empathetic towards others.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Friendship, Poverty, Fiction, Social Issues, Childrens

34 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2010

Reviews

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids might respond to this very differently than I did, who knows? As a metaphor for the unwelcoming response so common towards people who are homeless, the bear is startling, maybe just because of all those Paddington books. Dumont provides a novel treatment of the subject. He also focuses on a very simple and kind act.
While we await the social commitment to solve the problem by providing homes to everyone, a reminder to practice kindness personally is a step in the right direction.

Library copy

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming story about homelessness made a little less scary because it is a bear that is homeless (and, of course, bears don't live in the street). What makes the story so special is the little girl who sees beyond the homelessness to the bear underneath. She identifies with him as a big teddy bear, which changes how the bear views himself and his life. An important story about friendship and homelessness.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this poignant allegory, a homeless bear lives in a city full of people who are repulsed by him. When a young girl smiles at the bear one day, he realizes that a friend might make his life a little better. A remarkably effective portrait of human prejudice from multiple angles, and a beautiful tale of compassion and friendship.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all ages Dumont's illustrations show well the challenges of being homeless. In this story told by a bear, we hear the problems: puzzled by being without a home; lots of food available, but no money to buy it; staying out late to scavenge in garbage cans, so sleeps most of the day; other people stay away, afraid. One little girl sees through to the real bear, and acknowledges him, bringing a bit of happiness. This allegory can be used more than once for discussions of the stereotypes of the homeless.

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe the saddest thing I'm ever read. But so sweet, too.

I love seeing books that teach about homelessness with true empathy for the character's humanity (I mean, he's a bear, but...you get it), not turning them into an abject lesson.

Re-read 1/27: Still beautiful, still made me cry. "At first, I didn't know I was a bear. But when I tried to speak to this little lady who was passing by, and I saw her reaction, I started to understand."

[Cheryl]

Original. Thought-provoking. Do kids choose this book? If so, do they respond? If so, how? Or how do they react if you choose to read it with them? I honestly don't know what to think, even for myself, much less trying to guess its value to any of you.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this allegory from France, a bear describes his life on the street. Unsure of how he got there or much of his past, he tries to survive in the best way he can. After several unpleasant encounters with humans, he decides that it would be safer for him to avoid them and forage for food when they aren't around. He becomes almost invisible as he lives in his cardboard box nest. A bright spot appears in his life after a little girl notices him, greets him warmly and gives him a hug. Suddenly, he has at least one reason for living. After all, he is her teddy bear. The story is touching on several different levels, and the text and stylish illustrations remind readers how easily some humans dismiss the problems of others, including homelessness. After all, for many, there is no problem unless it affects them directly. This picture book would be a terrific introduction to a lesson on social change, homelessness or compassion. After all, there are bears in the world around us, and they surely matter more than we might be willing to admit.

[Karissa Knauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I Am A Bear" is a book written in first person about a bear living on the streets in a busy city. Whenever he tries to talk to people or interact with them in any way, they are unkind, throw him out of stores, call the police, and chase him. While sitting on his cardboard boxes a little girl comes up to him and asks him why he looks sad. She proceeds to tell him that he looks like a teddy bear and that teddy bears should never look sad. Her small acts of kindness/kind words change his perspective/feelings about himself and his worth. Each morning, he waits to be filled with her kindness. Before meeting this little girl, the bear was usually drawn in the lower left page reflecting his feeling of powerlessness, and insignificance. When he meets the girl, there is a change in his placement on the page as he is now pictured on the right page, symbolizing a change in his feelings toward himself and his outlook on life. A major symbol in the book is the unlit candle and the empty cup that are shown on several pages when the bear is in his cardboard shelter. After he meets the girl and waits for her every morning, the cup is filled with water and has a small white flower in it. This symbolizes how the bear felt empty and lost without the light to guide him through life. The little girl acts as his light, and helps the bear "fill his cup" as she changed his feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and sadness into feelings of happiness, excitement, anticipation as he waits to say hello to her every morning. The folk style of the illustrations help make the heavy subject of poverty more kid-friendly and accessible to younger students. The city is also draw using sharp angles to represent the dangers of living on the street. I thought this book was especially interesting, because a lot of books written about poverty tend to be written in 3rd person, but this book is written in first person from the bears perspective. Writing the book in this way gives power to the bear by allowing him to tell his story from his own perspective. The little girl also holds a lot of power in the book as she had the ability to change the bear's outlook on life and his feelings about himself. The main message I received from this book was that people who are experiencing poverty and homelessness are seen as "animals" and are treated inhumanely. I liked that the message of this book was to be compassionate and kind towards others and to avoid the dehumanizing way people who are homeless are treated by society. This is a good window book for young children to see how to interact with kindness and compassion towards those who are experiencing homelessness and poverty.

[Orsolya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though we try to shield children from the dark sides of life; these facets do need to be addressed and explained. Eschewing a cheery fantastical world; Jean-Francois Dumont explores a sordid reality (homelessness) in the young children’s book, “I am A Bear”.

“I Am A Bear” tells the story of a bear living in a cardboard house on a city street struggling to survive while being overcome with sadness concerning his life and living conditions. One day, a young girl meets this bear and treats him like he is someone special; giving him both joy and a motivation to fight his odds. In other words, “I Am A Bear” serves as a moral lesson on homelessness (or any absence of privilege) and the necessity to treat others kindly and with acceptance. Yes, this is an unpleasant topic but it is one children must explore in order to (A) not grow entitled (B) learn about real-life issues and (C) understand the concept of compassion. “I Am A Bear” presents this multi-pronged lesson approach using a bear to soften the blow and make it more accessible for children.

“Dumont’s “I Am A Bear” is best suited for mid-level picture book readers as the text is lengthier and most extensive in both message and vocabulary. In this manner, adults reading “I Am a Bear” to children will also find meaning and impactful depth among the pages.

Dumont fortifies “I Am A Bear” with lovely water-color illustrations in soft, muted colors which perfectly solidify the sad tone but still add glimmer of beauty and hope.

“I Am A Bear” could have benefited with a study guide list of questions regarding the topic homelessness for adults to discuss with their children in order to strengthen the lesson.

Dumont’s “I Am A Bear” is a fast but ‘heavy’ read absolutely recommended for all children (and even adults). There is a reason the piece has been translated into multiple languages; it is a very important and powerful text.

[Emily Grace]

This book is about a bear who lives on the street. He tries to ask for help, but people run away because he is a bear. I feel that this story is about how people who are unhoused feel, like a bear, people are almost afraid of them, and treat them unkindly. I believe that this story is a window to those who have never felt this way before. This book teaches us to show kindness to everyone. I would use this in my classroom to show that we should treat everyone with kindness and understanding.

[Julia Zackary]

I Am a Bear is a heartwarming depiction of homlessness. Bear struggles with his circumstance and wishes for compassion. When a little girl says hi, bear will experience the power of friendship and hope. This is a beautiful story for raising awareness, teaching compassion, and teaching the value of friendship.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story that tells us about homelessness by telling the reader about a bear living in a cardboard box in a city. How did he get there? What’s he think about his situation? And, there’s the little girl. Read the story to learn more. Nicely written book about a concerning topic.

[Edna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet children's book that uses a safe-looking large stuffed-bear to represent a homeless person living in the city, sleeping on cardboard and being ostracized by passing pedestrians and store merchants. The "how" he got there is not explained but the "how" people treat him can definitely make anyone think twice about their own behavior.

[Lauren Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the powerful message and light this book sheds on the issue of homelessness. I am excited to use this book with my seventh grade students to teach empathy and how our actions can impact others.

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

A metaphor for homelessness. Sad but realistic and true.

[Shannon Bedore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book addresses the topic of homelessness in a way that makes it more comforting and approachable for children. As the children are introduced to the homeless bear, they see the harsh conditions he is subject to, such as sleeping on cardboard, using old clothes for a blanket, eating out of garbages, and taking no showers. They also learn that everyone ignores him and treats him like a monster instead of trying to help him. When the bear is at his highest point of hopelessness, a little girl befriends him and changes his life just by kindly visiting him each day and giving him hugs and smiles. This small acts goes a long way, which teaches children that, by giving back a little to those who are less fortunate, they can make a huge difference. Even though the bears living conditions remained, he finally had a friend who showed they care.

I would use this in my class to teach my students about being compassionate and sympathetic towards everyone. This is a helpful way to explain homelessness as well so that my students learn to treat those who are less fortunate just as kindly, if not more, than they would anyone else.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book. It's easily read and it has pictures large enough and bright enough that even small children can see them.

It takes a page or two to realize that Bear is in fact homeless. He's not sure how he got to the city streets but he talks about his current life--how his politely asking for food scared shopkeepers since, after all, he is a bear--so he learned how to forage in dumpsters. He learned how to sleep in a doorway. His life has slid into a sameness that has caused him to become a sort of nothing, invisible to almost everyone. Finally someone, a child, does take notice of him. This isn't any sort of intense notice but it's enough for Bear to realize he does want to clean himself up and be worthy of being noticed. Little by little, he comes alive again.

There's no magic ending here. But the text does make the reader aware of the essential humanity in each of us, regardless of our circumstances.

Probably for age 4 and up. Many young readers will want adult input, especially if the young readers don't live where they frequently see the homeless.

[Maggie McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a bear who lives in a city. The bear didn't realize that he looked different from people until he saw their reactions. When he tried to do anything in society like go to the store or the butcher, he was turned away or the police were called to get him. This led him to sleep outside and find food out of people's garbage cans at night. One day when sitting in the alley, a little girl comes over to talk to the bear. She doesn't notices his differences and just wants to be the bear's friend. The bear then realizes the importance of friendship and how it may be nice to have one person in his live who sees him as a living being that is not scary. This text can be used in my classroom as a way of showing students the importance of including others no matter how they look. This text uses a bear to represent the differences in how people look in society. This story can be used to show students how others feel when they are excluded from the rest of the group and how they feel when they do get attention and love.

[Deanna Sookikian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a very meaningful message to it. I love how the author used a bear to represent a homeless character. I felt that by using a bear, children are able to understand what feelings go through the minds of homeless people on the streets. Not everyone who sits on the streets is homeless, but there are some and they need someone just like the little girl to give them some attention. By letting someone on the street know that you recognize them, it might make their day even better. The little girl recognizes the bear and talks to him and then begins to visit him each day before school. The bear didn't let his struggles make his days bad. He begins to look forward to the little girls' visits every day.

I would place this book in my classroom because it teaches children to be friendly to others no matter where they come from. If you're nice to someone, you might make their day. This book is a great book for a teacher to read to their students.

[Stephanie Sawicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book about a bear that was confused on how they became a bear, and how they got to where they were. They tried to fit in and act like a normal human, but everyone was scared of them and didn't treat them nice at all. They always ran away or chased them. Everyone gave them dirty looks because they smelled bad, but in their defense they said "I smell like a bear". They were always sad, until one day, a little girl came up to them and said that there's no reason to be sad because they're a teddy bear and teddy bears should be happy. From the moment that the little girl came into the bears life, they were always happy, and waiting for her each day to say hi after she got back from school. I would use this in my future classroom to show students that something so small as saying hi to someone can make their day, and their lives so much happier. Being nice and kind to someone goes a long way, and my students should always be nice and kind to everyone they encounter.

[Lauren Dressel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book demonstrated homelessness through a bear. The bear lives on the street in cardboard boxes and is too scary to be seen at stores and bakeries because he's a bear. People fear him, give him nasty looks, and judge him based on appearance and smell. The bear is sad, lonely, and hungry when a little girl looks at him and smiles. She asks him why he's so sad and that teddy bears aren't supposed to be that sad. Every day after that, when she walks past him, she smiles and says hello, and while it doesn't fix all the bears living conditions, it brings him joy. I think this book would be a great teaching tool for students to show how homelessness simply just happens sometimes, but that those people deserve kindness and compassion too. Especially in suburban schools, it is easy to judge and to not understand why, and so using this book can open up discussion around the topic as well as create a space for empathy and understanding for the future.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really tugged at my heart. Sometimes it becomes too easy to sensitize ourselves to issues such as homelessness because it seems so big of a problem that we say, "I can't fix it so I won't think about it." Or we only think about it on days like Thanksgiving or Christmas when we are told to think and give to others. This book is fabulous in frankly admitting that. By using a personified bear, instead of a person, I think that kids relate to it immediately and adults are able to absorb it and then when you finish the book, it hits you. I'm sure I've acted to someone the way people acted towards this bear. We look inward again and maybe, at least I did, we think of something small we can do so that maybe things can change over time. It was a hard book for me to read and that tells me that the message was getting through.

[Emma platek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very simple and easy to follow as it showed a bear and how he found his identity and his journey. It shows what it means to be a bear, and shows how he becomes independent and how he connects with his surroundings, environment and the world around him. I really like how the story uses simple language to communicate deep thoughts about self-awareness and the natural world. The illustrations help reflect what the bear sees around him and what he observes in nature. While reading this book, I would ask questions like, “What makes you feel special about yourself?” or “Why do you think the bear wanted to know more about who he was?” I would also love to do a self identity project, where children can make a collage of different stickers, art, or words that they would use to describe themselves. You can use magazines, scissors, stickers, markers, colors or anything accessible.

[Emma Platek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very simple and easy to follow as it showed a bear and how he found his identity and his journey. It shows what it means to be a bear, and shows how he becomes independent and how he connects with his surroundings, environment and the world around him. I really like how the story uses simple language to communicate deep thoughts about self-awareness and the natural world. The illustrations help reflect what the bear sees around him and what he observes in nature. While reading this book, I would ask questions like, "What makes you feel special about yourself?" or "Why do you think the bear wanted to know more about who he was?" I would also love to do a self identity project, where children can make a collage of different stickers, art, or words that they would use to describe themselves. You can use magazines, scissors, stickers, markers, colors or anything accessible.

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a bear is a book where, it appears a person turns into a bear and forgets how or why and then goes about life realizing that he can't live like he used to. This book is one that docent have a septic message that it is telling us as the readers but instead just a book that plays on sympathy and feelings. This book is one that you could relate to different things depending on the children but also just by it self you could relate to feelings and how the bear feels. One note that I will take from this book and apply in my classroom is it is ok to have books that makes the reader feel sad, and to have books such as that to have the readers feel the emotion that author had while writing the book.

[Marissa Bonham]

This is a story about a homeless bear living on the streets of a busy city. The readers follow along as he experiences many hardships such as loneliness and a lack of empathy from others. As the story progresses, the bear encounters a girl who is like a ray of sunshine in his life. She demonstrates the importance of empathy and kindness, and the readers get to see the impact that the little girl and her compassion have on the bear's life. I would use this book in my future classroom to help my students better understand the importance of empathy and kindness. I could ask the students how the bear felt prior to meeting the little girl and how her actions changed his perspective, as well as how the students can show the same kindness in their everyday lives.

[Kylie Rose]

I Am a Bear is a story about a bear who does not have a home and ends up living on the streets. The bear feels lonely and invisible as people walk by without noticing or helping. As time goes on the bear dreams of being seen, cared about, and having a safe place to belong. The book uses simple language and sad pictures to show what it can feel like to be without a home. I would use this book to help children learn about kindness, empathy, and understanding that some people may be struggling even if we don’t know their story. After reading I could lead a discussion about helping others and being kind. We could talk about ways to show we care like sharing, being a friend, or noticing when someone needs help. This helps build compassion for others.

[Marissa Charleston]

This book tells the story of a bear who lives on the street. He has tried to talk to people who walk past him but everyone seems upset and scared by the bear. He lives alone and no one pays attention to him, until one day a little girl asked him why he looked so sad. The bear got all cleaned up to see the little girl again and she came back the next day, and the next, and the next. He was her teddy bear. This story could be used to show young learners the importance of not judging or overlooking those who may be alone or homeless like the bear and could be a lesson on the importance of being kind.

[Hailey Villafuerte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Am A Bear is about a bear who is homeless on the streets of a city. He is ignored by people, feared, and some people are even disgusted near him. A little girl shows the bear kindness and it changes the bears life. He feels seen. Instead of grumbling about his poor bear life, he happily waits for the girl each morning. I would use this book in my classroom to talk about empathy. How a student never knows what someone is going through, and being nice can change someone's whole day. We could do an activity similar to one I did when I was young where you give everyone a compliment that wasn't about their appearance.

[Ellie Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Am A Bear is a story of a bear who is homeless and living on the street. Everybody treats him terribly, stares at him, and makes comments to him so he mostly just hides under his box. One day a girl comes up to him and shows him kindness, and now he waits for her every day because she has given him hope because she sees him as a teddy bear, which is no small thing.

This is another really great story about compassion and kindness, and why it is important to show all people these things. This story shows the realities of being homeless, which most people usually treat as a disease. If we teach our children to safely show compassion to people, maybe we can make our world a better place.