Home
  • Home
  • Latest Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Authors & Artists
  • Articles
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Forums
  • Search

The Bear Nobody Wanted

  • View
  • Rearrange

Digital version – browse, print or download

Can't see the preview?
Click here!

How to print the digital edition of Books for Keeps: click on this PDF file link - click on the printer icon in the top right of the screen to print.

BfK Newsletter

Receive the latest news & reviews direct to your inbox!

BfK No. 84 - January 1994

Cover Story
The illustration on our cover this month is by GeorgeUnderwood. It is from Geoffrey Trease's latest book, Fire in the Wind, published by Pan Macmillan, to whom we are grateful for help in using this illustration. Details of the book are given in our Authorgraph.

  • PDFPDF
  • Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version
  • Send to friendSend to friend

The Bear Nobody Wanted

Janet Ahlberg and Allan Ahlberg
(Puffin Books)
978-0140348095, RRP £4.99, Mass Market Paperback
8-10 Junior/Middle
Buy "The Bear Nobody Wanted" on Amazon

The bear in the story, 'our bear', has an unatractive demeanour and as a result, remains nameless right until the penultimate page of this splendid book for it's only then that he becomes 'wanted'. The story traces the bear's somewhat degrading passage through life from the factory where he was made just before World War Two, as he passed from one owner to another until he's finally given to 4-year-old Sophie and becomes the happiest of toys: 'an altogether wanted bear'. As well as being a compelling read, Allan Ahlberg's story is a marvellous history lesson for, woven into the narrative, are details of domestic life in the early 1940s. This strong sense of time is furthered by Janet Ahlberg's beguiling line drawings. A thoroughly enjoyable and potentially rewarding read for anyone aged around eight or for slightly younger listeners.

Reviewer: 
Jill Bennett
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Help/FAQ
  • My Account