There’s a Bear in the Window

This text is uniquely New Zealand based and is a great way to open discussion around Covid and the Lockdowns that we all went through in 2020.

The text is available in English (the front of the book) and Te Reo Māori. There is a glossary at the back to support readers with any unfamiliar kupu.

The last page has a variety of photos of bears in windows and invites the reader to paste a photo of their own bear. This could be a great challenge for students to post a photo of a toy in an interesting pose around the school or motivate children to be creative if we are Locked down again.

It is a great model for teaching perspective and personification in writing. The photos at the back of the book could be used as a writing prompt. What was Teddy doing? What are they thinking?

Title: There’s a Bear in the Window

Author: JunePitman-Hayes

Illustrator: Minky Stapleton

Translator: Pania Papa

Publisher: Scholastic

ISBN: 978-1-77543-715-4

RRP: $19.99

Format: paperback picture book and downloadable song in English and Maori

Publication: January 2021

Ages: 2-5 years

Reviewer: Leanne Nathan, Associate Principal, Clendon Park School, Auckland

How are you recommending this book? Highly recommended

Opening sentence: There’s a bear in the window of the house next door. It’s brown and furry...and waving its paw!

You can buy this book here