Pistes d'exploration

Stop at the Hide and Seek page. Discuss how Boris is feeling and make predictions about how his friends and teacher are going to react once they return to class.

Create a chart listing all the words ending in y that make the long e sound: hairy, scary, shiny, weedy, suddenly, nobody, very, mummy, fluffy.

Talk about differences and exclusion. How is Boris excluded and how does that make him feel? What could the others have done to make him feel more included?

Discuss how Boris feels before and after the rat pack visit. A classroom Venn diagram can help to sort out which feelings change, and which remain the same.

Discuss Boris’s classroom and schedule. How is it the same or different from your own classroom and schedule?

Discuss the qualities of a good friend and the characteristics of a not so good friend as found in the relationship between Boris and his school peers. Make a poster showing your findings.

Leon the Chameleon, The Invisible Boy, Scaredy Squirrel, A Visitor for Bear, We Share Everything!, Omar on Ice, A Splendid Friend, Indeed

Mots-clés

Picture book , bears , differences , fear , friendship , new students , school life , stereotypes

Commentaire descriptif

When the teacher announces the arrival of a new student, everyone is excited until they see the hairy, grizzly, scary, toothy creature standing before them. Desperate to socialize, but quite unsuccessful, the loveable Boris ends up on the outside looking in. But his classmates change their minds after the lumbering bear, who simply wants to “join in their fun”, inadvertently scares away the roving band of rats set to attack them. Suddenly, being big and toothy wins him their friendship. Pencil and watercolour illustrations punctuate the narrative in this animal fable about a big bear feeling small and awkward in a new school. Children will sympathize with Boris whose innocent and gentle nature comes through in the heartwarming details of his face. They will also recognize in the illustrations some of the realistic details of their own classroom. The chalkboard-style font, well suited to a book set against the backdrop of school, is set in boldface type and enlarged to visually cue exciting developments in the plot, or moments when Boris is helplessly being “big” and “loud.” This read-aloud book teaches children not to judge others too hastily and to be especially welcoming to any new child who might wind up among them.