Children’s Book Review: Delivery Bear By Laura Gehl

DELIVERY BEAR

By: Laura Gehl

Illustrated by: Paco Sordo

Published: September 1, 2018

Publisher: Albert Whitman and Company

Fiction

All Zogby has dreamed of doing is being a delivery bear. When he finally sees his dream job posted at the local Fluffy Tail Cookies shop, he can’t wait to apply. The problem is, he doesn’t look like the rest of the Fluffy Tail Cookies staff since he’s a bear. But the manager decides to give him a trial run. Zobgy goes on his first delivery proudly singing the “Delivery Song” and when the Mrs. Rabbit opens the door, she screams. So does raccoon, porcupine, and squirrel. Zogby decides he just isn’t cut out for delivering cookies.

Then Zogby notices the very important words in his “Delivery Song”, You are special. You are you. He realizes that he is special and he just has to be himself. Zogby comes up with a new plan for delivering cookies and it just may make him the best delivery bear the town has ever seen.

I am a huge fan of Laura Gehl’s books and this one ranks at the top. Zogby just wants to do his job well and unfortunately, his customers don’t think he is the right animal for the job. At the beginning of the book, he is so excited to start his job and then, once rejected over and over again, he is gloomy and dejected. Parents and kids will relate to those feelings of being rejected by friends and co-workers and will be able to have a conversation about how this made Zogby feel.

The illustrations are silly and yet show Zogby’s changing emotions throughout the pages. The animal customers’ reactions are priceless and as your child travels through the story, they will realize how hurt Zogby is by their reactions.

There is a teacher guide/parent discussion guide available to go along with the book. I’ll be sticking this book and the guide in my subbing bag to use if I need a time-filler in the lower elementary classrooms. Check out the DELIVERY BEAR Teacher Guide, HERE. This book shares an important lesson on just being yourself that kids and parents can appreciate.

Watch this short book trailer for DELIVERY BEAR and then you’ll know how to sing the “Delivery Song”:

Laura Gehl is the author of the Peep and Egg books and several other picture books, including ONE BIG PAIR OF UNDERWEAR. Laura has four children. She and her family live in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Find out more at LauraGehl.com

To purchase a copy of DELIVERY BEAR, click the photo below:

Check out Laura Gehl’s PEEP AND EGG series, HERE.

Check out Laura Gehl’s I GOT A CHICKEN FOR MY BIRTHDAY book, HERE.

I will be linking up this review on Booking Mama’s regular Saturday feature, Kid Konnection. This is a place for bloggers to share posts related to children’s and YA books. You will find spotlights, reviews, and sometimes even giveaways by clicking HERE, every Saturday.

Thanks to the publisher for providing copies of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase the book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.