The Ragged Old Bear

The Ragged Old Bear is a fantastic children's picture book written by Leone Peguero and illustrated By Donna Gynell.
This book is about a young girl called Josie who has some very beautiful and special toys however she cannot take them anywhere incase they get dirty or broken. One day at her grandmother's house, she finds a ragged old bear who isn't new and isn't delicate and immediately she falls in love with him. Josie's mother mends the ragged old bear much to the delight of Josie, who then takes him on lots of adventures here her other toys cannot go. When ragged old bear is back in Josie's bedroom, he wishes that he was like her other toys. He wants to be dignified like White Rabbit, clever like Robo-teach and graceful like Angelina but he wasn't. Bear then remembered how he had been rescued by Josie and how he had been taken on all kinds of adventures which cheered him up. Most importantly however, he remembered how much Josie loved him which was something for him to hold onto and celebrate. 

Peguero has written this picture book in a very simple third person narrative, incorporating themes which would appeal to a younger audience. Many young students would be able to relate to this picture book, with either not being able to take their toys places in case they get wrecked or having a toy that is extremely special to them that travels everywhere with them.
The text throughout the book is also very simple, making it easy for the younger audience to read for themselves. The sentences are short and are written with simple language therefore being appropriate for the target audience.

Peguero's story is accompanied by Gynell's spectacular illustrations. The illustrations are large and very colourful which make the book interesting for the younger students. The illustrations portray exactly what the text is about which helps the students understand what the text may be saying and what the feelings are of that certain character etc.

I believe this book would be appropriate for Junior Primary once again as it is a simple picture book with themes that would relate to many students and their own personal experiences.