The Best-Loved Bear product reviews

The Best Loved Bear, whilst being a book that has been around for a very long time (first published in 1994, and then re-published in 2002), is a really really lovely story, and one that I have enjoyed reading to both my class (when I was teaching), and my two beautiful daughters now.

My three year old can has her "puppy" that is a bit like Tim's bear - missing it's nose, all grubby, but would not be without it!

What makes is a wonderful story is that it is something that most children can relate to - having a favourite, tried and true soft toy friend, that may not be in pristine condition, but is what makes it so special.

I like the ideas in the book that are gently indicated - about things not necessarily having to be new, clean and "perfect" to be wonderful!!. It also does not matter if other people do not like your toy/favourite special friend - everyone has different likes!

This story makes a wonderful gift - especially as it is a New Zealand book. A great idea to team it with is the sequel which has the same boy and bear - The Best Dressed Bear.

A great story, perfect for many ages - and one I can happily re-read day after day.

The Best Loved Bear may not look as fancy and as bright and colourful and exciting as all the books on the shelves these days, but it is definitely one of my little girls favorite books (Thank you KIWIreviews).

A wonderful story of love, friendship and companionship in its simplest forms. Tim is embarrassed of his well loved tattered teddy bear, but what he doesn't realize is the state of his bear shows the wonderful friendship and life that Tim and his bear have shared. A sign of a happy content child is often the dirt on their clothes and faces, lol, if only Tim knew that before he took his bear to school.

A really lovely story, enjoyable and easy to read and one kids love, just as much as Tim loves his bear.

This is a book I bought for myself when it first came out of Teachers Training College 18 years ago. My copy is now very battered as it has read and re-read by most of the classes I have taught since then. Now I am a mother my children really love it.

My three year old can really relate to Tim. She has her precious Flower Bear that she is attached to. Flower Bear looks well loved and is missing an eye. Sometimes when I read the story I adapt it so it is about Eden and Flower Bear. She loves this.

I like the messages in the book that you don't have to have the newest flashiest things and it is important to take care of your special things.

We also own the sequel, The Best Dressed Bear, and my children enjoy that too. It is about growing up and having to part with your favourite clothes. This is a lesson we are learning about in our household with the change of seasons and discovering last years clothes are too short now.

This story is a timeless classic and I am sure that my grandchildren will enjoy it too. It is the ideal gift for a toddler especially one that has a special teddy. It is made extra special because it is a New Zealand book and so the classroom familiar Kiwi feel to it.

This book was originally first published in 1994 by the extreamly talented and well known Diana Noonan. I remember reading it as a child, and it was a really great book. It is a platinum New Zealand best seller, and due to its age, its really a classic children's picture book.

Personally, this book lacks the pizazz of the newer picture books that are quirky and fun, but the story itself tells an important one of love that is universal. I do think this is a must for all children, and my son really enjoyed the story as it was simple and easy to understand and really only contains 4 characters (the two teachers,Tim and his bear Toby.)

The illustrations are dated by today's standards, but this also gives the book an authentic feel. I like it, as it shows the children that not all stories need to be bright and cheerful to warrant a good story.

For $19.50 I personally wouldn't buy it, I would buy something a bit more fun, but if you have attachments to this as a child, its great to be able to get a new edition of it and its certain to bring back memories!

A very cute story about Tim and his much loved bear. Tim has loved his bear so much he's a bit worse for wear but in the end he realises that looking perfect isn't really what matters when it comes to love!

Very simply illustrated with lovely drawings this is a delightful story. Miss Four and Miss Five liked it and certainly understood that Tim's bear was so well loved that he didn't look perfect and that was the point! It was nice to have the child subject in the book be a boy so this book will appeal to boy and girl readers alike. I think also every child has one object of their total affection in their possession, at some time when they are young, so can relate to this story even if their own object wasn't a bear.

This is a very cute book and the text is very simply and clearly written so great for Miss Five to try her reading skills on. It wouldn't surprise me if this book becomes a little bit of a classic.

A quite charming and brilliant book as a gift for a younger child i.e. pre-schooler or even as a baby shower present.