Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet, poignant tale of wartime survivors and who they lost.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
POCKET BEAR is the oldest resident of the Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured. He was there when mom Elizaveta and daughter Dasha, refugees from Ukraine, moved into the apartment, and serves as the wise leader to the abandoned toys Dasha restores and rehomes. He dates from World War I, when families and sweethearts sent their young men off to war with tiny, hopeful teddy bears in their uniform pockets, and he's seen a lot. When his cat friend Zephyrina drags a garbage-coated teddy bear to Second Chances from a dumpster, life suddenly gets complicated for the toys and their humans as long-buried memories and little-known facts come to light.
Is It Any Good?
Tragedy, loss, poop humor, healing, and moral dilemmas mix, sometimes a bit uneasily, in this touching tale of friendship between vintage teddy bears. Pocket Bear and his newfound friend both lived through World War I, their human protectors are survivors from Ukraine, and the cat Zephyrina somehow manages to look out for them while looking out for Zephyrina. Especially when her latest dumpster discovery has tales of his own that could change a lot of lives... but perhaps for the better? Charles Santoso's lively, appealing illustrations bring the Katherine Applegate's endearing characters to life, and Zephyrina's snarky narrative keeps the plot moving, the revelations coming, and the heartstrings tugged.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about stories like Pocket Bear whose main characters are toys. Why do toys make interesting characters? Do you have any favorites?
Elizaveta and Dasha are refugees from the present-day war in Ukraine. Do you know any people who are refugees? Where did they come from, and how are they doing now?
Do your own toys have stories? What are they?
How do the characters in this story show courage and empathy? How do these character strengths help the characters reach their goals?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Charles Santoso
- Genre : Friendship
- Topics : Friendship , History
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Gratitude , Self-control
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Feiwel & Friends
- Publication date : September 9, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 272
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : October 27, 2025
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