School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-A young boy leaves his beloved teddy bear in a diner. A homeless man finds it in the trash can and takes care of it by tucking it in his coat pocket and sleeping with it in the dumpster. One day, he leaves the teddy bear on a park bench just when the child and his parents happen to be passing by. The youngster is pleased to find his old friend and rescues him, but when the man cries out, "Where is my bear?" the child returns the stuffed animal to him. This act of sharing and compassion will be treasured by young and old. The basic lost-and-found teddy bear story is reminiscent of Don Freeman's Corduroy (Viking, 1968). This book, however, adds another dimension to the theme, and discussion is sure to follow as the artist gives a face and emotion to the homeless population. The watercolor-and-ink illustrations are distinctively McPhail. A sweet and gentle blend of favorite and important topics will make this a treasure of a book to be read, reread, and shared.-Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
"This sweet tale of a homeless man who adopts a lost teddy bear, and the generous young owner who lets him keep it, is graced with some of McPhail's tenderest art to date," according to PW. Ages 4-8. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
After a boy loses his beloved teddy bear, it becomes the cherished companion of the homeless man who finds it. Later, the boy has a chance to reclaim the lost toy, but since he understands how it feels to miss one's bear, he lets the homeless man keep it. Coupled with the understated text, the evocative illustrations enhance the story's poignancy. From HORN BOOK Fall 2002, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Lost and found and lost and returned-this teddy brings a lot of happiness and leaves sadness in its wake, but McPhail's (Mud Is Cake, p. 425, etc.) tale turns on the perceptiveness and sensitivity of a young boy. That young lad had a teddy bear, his favorite toy of all, and he and the teddy lived in a warm and protective home (gorgeously drawn in hearty and touching watercolor and ink). The teddy is lost in a moment of forgetfulness and is found by a homeless man who tucks the bear away in his pocket. Gradually, the boy adjusts to not having his bear and gradually, the bear adjusts to his new circumstances. The man takes the bear everywhere, just like the boy once did. On a spring day, the man put the bear on a park bench while he did some scavenging nearby, and the boy and his parents happen past. The boy is exultant (his parents are nonplused), and he sweeps the bear up and walks away with him. Then he hears a mournful howl. It is the homeless man, a man who has lost his best friend. The boy returns to the man, aware of what has happened: " Is this your bear?' the little boy asked. . . . Thank you,' he said to the little boy. I don't know what I'd do without him.' I know what you mean,' said the little boy.' " Although this is a story about kindness, love, and compassion, it is also a worthy reminder that the down-and-out have feelings and needs just as keen as the reader's. (Picture book. 3-7)