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Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Bob is a very restless bear. He loves living in a town with a beautiful lake view and lots of fir trees. Summer was the best time; that’s when Bob was happiest. But winter months were dark, wet, and dreary and they really got him down. So, what should he do? Should he move to a warmer climate and enjoy the sun and the warmth all the time? He tried that – twice – and still found something that got him down. Should he return to his original home? Could he possibly find happiness there? Bob had a big lesson to learn about happiness. You see, no matter where you live, “true happiness/ Comes from within!”
S. Alston’s middle-grade story, The Greatest Lesson: A Bear's Journey to Joy, is a modern-day fable for young readers from the fourth grade and up. Told in rhyming verse, the lyricism of the fable will inspire young poets as well as teach young readers about true inner happiness and how to be content with being themselves, no matter where they are. The plot follows Bob’s adventure as he moves around to find the place that will make him happiest. The climax, of course, is the message about happiness and self-awareness, and Bob is very pleased to share his discovery with young readers. The illustrations are subtle, but full of life and vigor and help move the story along. The author begins the book with important details for caregivers and teachers on how to best use this story. At the end, there are interactive questions to open up dialogue between readers and adults, to encourage sharing amongst young people. This is a great story to help young readers build their confidence and respect themselves so that they can respect others and become positive contributors as they approach adolescence.
