Loved to Bits

by Teresa Heapy, Katie Cleminson (Illustrator)

A wonderfully exuberant teddy bear and his little boy go on all sorts of grand adventures collecting stories (and a few scrapes and bruises) along the way in Loved to Bits, a picture book about friendship from Teresa Heapy and Katie Cleminson.

Ted and his boy do everything together.
They fight beasts and have feasts.
They tickle monsters then flee on rafts,
They search, explore, escape. . . . and laugh.

But sometimes things get rough, and Teddy loses an ear.
He's still got his best one though, never fear!
And an eye? PING!
It's nothing--he didn't feel a thing!
A leg, then the other. An arm, and then the next.
What do you do with a broken Ted?

You lay down with him at night and snuggle in bed.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Animals, Fiction, Love, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 5, 2018

Reviews

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, dear! I don't know whether to laugh or be horrified.

Loved to Bits is the story of Ted, a teddy bear who goes on so many adventures that he eventually loses all his limbs, one eye, one ear, and has all his stripes rubbed off. But, not to worry! His boy likes him better that way, just a worn-out ball and head filled with stuffing.

I guess it's an ode to the way some children love their toys until they're no longer recognizable. It's oddly macabre in spots, but also somewhat funny.

I think this book is going to have a very specific audience. I like it, and I'm sure some parents will get a chuckle. But for kids who can't bear the thought of something happening to a beloved toy, it might not be the best choice.

Quotable moment:

[Biblioteken i Örnsköldsvik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Svensk titel: Min Nallevän

En superfin berättelse om ett barns äventyr med sin nalle. Ju fler lekar de leker tillsammans desto mer nött blir nallen. Men det gör ingenting, de har ju så kul ihop! Väldigt fina rim med bra flyt. //Mia och Izabelle

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about a child's love for his favorite stuffed bear. The ink, charcoal, and watercolor illustrations are engaging, and the narrative may help a younger child understand why their beloved toy is starting to look worn.

[Theresa]

A good book for stuffed animal sleepover.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stripy Ted, a stuffed Teddy bear, is the narrator's best friend, but the toy doesn't accompany him on any of his adventures anymore. In rhyming text, he tells about all the exciting moments they shared together, all leading up to why Stripy Ted has been relegated to his bed. They've climbed mountains, fought marauders, and as sometimes happens during all that play, poor old Ted gets the worst of it as he ends up falling from a boat into the water, and then losing an ear, an eye, a leg, an arm, another leg, and another arm. Time and hard wear have just about worn him to bits, hence, the title. But surprisingly, the boy refuses his mother's offer to repair Ted and is happy to keep him just the way he is. After all, they've shared many exciting times together so he can simply remember those times and keep his friend safe and sound in bed, a spot that he has earned after all those labors. Many youngsters and their caregivers will be touched by this story and reminded of their own stuffed animal friends who were such an important part of their growing up years. The illustrations capture the essence of childhood quite well, using ink, charcoal, and watercolors.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohmygoodness this one was just so sweet and tender! It's the story of a boy and his bear. They go on so very many adventures together, and slowly but surely the poor bear falls to bits. The boy (most likely with help from an unseen parent) just takes it all in stride as the bear evolves. Even as the bear starts to become a non-bear, the boy's love never fades. Everyone will be able to identify with this book. Oh, and the illustrations are soft and lovely. Many enthusiastic thumbs up for this one.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved to Bits is a children's picture book written by Teresa Heapy and illustrated by Katie Cleminson. It is a quaint and charming story about a boy and his favorite stuff bear.

Heapy's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and poetic. With simple rhymes, this narrative explores the wonderful adventures between a boy and his stuff bear. The narrative captures the imagination of a child rather well and the love for one's favorite stuff toy. Cleminson's illustrations are wonderfully drawn and depicted the narrative extremely rather well with soft colors and tones.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It chronicles the adventures of a boy and Stripy Ted, his teddy bear, and now that he is worn out, with all his limbs missing, along with an ear and eye, the boy loves his toy even more.

All in all, Loved to Bits is a quaint, charming, and wonderful book about a child and their favorite toy.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved to Bits by Teresa Heapy and Katie Cleminson. PICTURE BOOK. Roaring Brook Press, 2018. $18. 9781250186942

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

For every adventure a little boy and his stuffed bear go on, bear ends up a little worse for wear. By the end of their adventuring, the bear is left with only a body and head, which insidentally the boys loves because then he has to stay in bed and cuddle with him.

Any child who has loved a stuffed animal to pieces will appreciate this book. The pastel nature of the illustrations keep the age appeal pretty young. The story is simple, but perfectly sweet.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boy describes all the fun times he has had with his teddy and how his teddy came to lose all his arms and legs, with his stripes changing from golden to brown. Although from the outside it may look like the teddy has been damaged, the boy explains how it only shows he's been loved.
A lovely story about love and friendship through a young child's vivid imagination. A great read-aloud story for FS and year 1, however, I also think there are lots of opportunities for this to be a book used to base work around.
The story follows a rhyming patter, likely to be enjoyed by young children as it helps the story flow nicely. The vivid imagination and some of the pages made me think of Winnie the Pooh.

[Katie Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about a little boy and his teddy who go on adventures through reading and their dreams at bedtime. This story is relatable for children as they often have or had a favourite teddy which goes everywhere with them and on all adventures. The teddy ends up being dishevelled which I am sure many parents can relate to. This story reminds children of their childhood memories and things they have done, bringing back lots of happy memories.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story of a beloved stuffy who becomes a little worn out. In the picture book Loved to Bits, Author Teresa Heapy and Illustrator Katie Cleminson take us on adventure after adventure of Stripy Ted. He loses a few limbs through raucous play, but in the end he makes a great bed companion. Wonderful fun for 2 - 6.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The little boy has a very special teddy bear. They have adventures and do everything together. The only problem is that little by little the teddy bear starts falling apart. First an ear, then an eye. Pretty soon an arm and a leg. When he finally loses both arms and legs, mother wants to mend him. But the little boy wants to keep him exactly the way he is... loved to bits!

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite liked this - except for the part about 3/4 of the way through where it abruptly stops rhyming. Maybe for the emotional impact? It's jarring, and pulls you out of the story, but maybe that's the point. It goes back to normal on the very next page, though.
Reminded me a bit of The Velveteen Rabbit. <3

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feb 2019 - Got this to read to V. I love the illustrator's works. Depicted the story really well. I could understand the sentiments in this book quite well. As I read this to V. I could see my very first 2 toys still sitting on my shelves in their places of honor and rest. One day maybe V. will have such a toy.

[Emily✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about all the adventures a little boy and his teddy bear have together, which unfortunately results in Ted looking a bit rough and rundown. But that just means he's been loved hard, and he's still the perfect bedtime companion for the boy even if he's missing a few pieces.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story of a child's stuffed friend and their adventures

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy and his teddy have all sorts of adventures together, to the point of the teddy losing some parts in the process.

[Stay Fetters · Rating 3 out of 5]

A heart filled story about an adventurous bear that knows all your secrets.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wanted to just weep over the message of this one. Old stuffed bears and toys become treasured items as one grows older. This book perfectly embodies this.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story about a well loved stuffed animal.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of a teddy bear that literally was loved to pieces. It falls apart during his adventures with his boy. Sweet story.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhyming text tells the tale of the life well lived for a boy and his teddy.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this titles idea, but the rhyme scheme and meter left something to be desired. One or two more editing passes of the text might have made this a four or five star book.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy tells the story of his beloved stuffed animal and their adventure stories. A tale of true love. Preschool and up

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a bit sad.

[Frances Hotchkiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story about a boy and his beloved bear and all of the adventures they go on. This reminds me a little of The Velveteen Rabbit. This makes for a sweet bedtime story.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️ 🐻 ♥️

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that showcases a young boy's love for his stuffed animal/creative imagination.

[Norkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, caring story.

[St Michael's Primary Oxford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely rhyming book about loving a special teddy to bits. Gradually teddy loses his ears, arms, and legs (I found this quite sad!) and still retains his beloved status.