Wendy Balfour Sophia and the Lonely Bear

Annotation

This is the story about a little girl called Sophia who lives in a house next to the forest. Accidentally she finds herself lost in the forest and comes across a lonely bear. The bear has been left there by his parents because he was not like other bears. He had large lumps on his back and his parents were chastised and made fun of because of the lumps. The other bears would not accept him. Sophia befriends the bear and teaches him about love, happiness and his right to be loved even though he looks different. Sophia also gives bear a beautiful name, which delights him. Her parents find out what she has been up to and are afraid for her life, as bears can be very dangerous animals! Once they realise the bear is timid and friendly they decide to help him find his family.