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Big Bear Was Not the Same Hardcover – Picture Book, August 24, 2021

by Joanna Rowland (Author), John Ledda (Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 28 ratings
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A soft introduction to PTSD for young readers, from the bestselling author of The Memory Box

Little Bear loves the woods, his home, and going on adventures with his best friend, Big Bear. Big Bear is so big and strong and brave. He always protects Little Bear and helps him feel safe. Then something scary happens to Big Bear. He's caught in a forest fire. Even after he escapes and is safe, Little Bear can tell that Big Bear is not the same. He runs, roars, or freezes in fear when ordinary things happen in the woods that remind him of that traumatic day. How can Little Bear's big, strong, brave friend be so scared now? And how can Little Bear be a good friend?

In Big Bear Was Not the Same, Joanna Rowland, author of the bestelling book The Memory Box, gently introduces young readers to the common feelings of fear, anxiety, and anger that can follow a traumatic event, and shows them how to have empathy and compassion for themselves and for loved ones experiencing the effects of trauma.

Includes backmatter written by a family therapist with information on how to talk about trauma with children. 

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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    4 - 7 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Lexile measure
    AD470L
  5. Dimensions
    8.75 x 0.25 x 10.25 inches
  6. Publisher
    Beaming Books
  7. Publication date
    August 24, 2021
  8. ISBN-10
    1506471412
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1506471419
  10. See all details
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When Things Are Hard, Remember
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From the Publisher

forest fires;bears;dealing with fear;trauma;friendship;young readers;juvenile literature;childrens

forest fires;bears;dealing with fear;trauma;friendship;young readers;juvenile literature;childrens
More books from Joanna Rowland on supporting kids through hard times
  • The Memory Box: A Book about Grief
  • The Memory Book: A Grief Journal for Children and Families
  • Stay Through the Storm
  • When Things Are Hard, Remember

An Inside Look at Big Bear Was Not The Same

A compassionate, child-friendly story about trauma, empathy, and friendship

-Written by bestselling author who specializes in writing comforting books for children experiencing difficult situations

-Introduces children to post-traumatic stress disorder in an age-appropriate way

-Encourages the development of empathy and compassion in young readers

-An excellent tool for counselors, mental health professionals, and social workers

-Additional information to help children understand trauma is included at the end of the book

forest fires;bears;dealing with fear;trauma;friendship;young readers;juvenile literature;childrens

forest fires;bears;dealing with fear;trauma;friendship;young readers;juvenile literature;childrens

forest fires;bears;dealing with fear;trauma;friendship;young readers;juvenile literature;childrens

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Joanna Rowland has a gift for telling stories that help children heal." --Anna Shinoda, author of Learning Not to Drown and senior advisor to the Campaign to Change Direction, Books Change Direction Initiative

"An accessible, age-appropriate primer that sheds light on trauma and PTSD." --Publishers Weekly

"This tender read-aloud gently affirms that healing takes time, support, and lots of love." --Laura Renauld, author of Porcupine's Pie, Bear's Bicycle, and Fred's Big Feelings: The Life and Legacy of Mister Rogers

"This book is an important asset to every shelf. Through its sincere and gentle text and art, Big Bear Was Not the Same handles the unpredictable effects of trauma in a tender and thoughtful way that both children and adults will find comforting." --Jessixa Bagley, author of Boats for Papa

"Whether you relate to Big Bear or Little Bear, this is a sweet and gentle story that makes the difficult emotions following a traumatic event easier to understand. This subject that is rarely touched upon in picture books is made accessible with soothing words and cozy illustrations." --Jessie Oliveros, author of The Remember Balloons

About the Author

Joanna Rowland grew up in Sacramento, California, where she still lives today with her husband and three children. She teaches kindergarten by day and writes picture books at night. In the summer, you'll find her at the pool coaching synchronized swimming or cozying up with a book. She is the author of The Memory Box: A Book about Grief; The Memory Book: A Grief Journal for Children and Families; Stay Through the Storm; When Things Are Hard, Remember; and Big Bear Was Not the Same.



John Ledda was born and raised in southeast Michigan. He moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to pursue his MFA at the Academy of Art University. He is the illustrator of Kiki Kicks by Jane Yolen and Ariel Stemple, Big Bear Was Not the Same by Joanna Rowland, and other titles.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beaming Books (August 24, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1506471412
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1506471419
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 7 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD470L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.75 x 0.25 x 10.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 28 ratings

About the author

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Joanna Rowland

Joanna Rowland

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Joanna Rowland is from Sacramento, California where she lives with her husband and three children. She teaches in elementary school and writes picture books. Her books include The Memory Box: A Book About Grief, Stay Through The Storm, Always Mom; Forever Dad and The Monstructor. In the summers you’ll find her by the pool watching synchronized swimming, in the mountains, on the coast, or reading behind a good book.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
28 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Serena K. Allen
5.0 out of 5 stars An important and hopeful read
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2021
Verified Purchase
This is such an important book and I’m so glad that it was written and illustrated in such a thoughtful way. For any children dealing with the effects of PTSD either personally or with a loved one, I think they’ll find comfort in this book. PTSD has not affected my family, but I love reading beautiful books about big topics to my children. Even if it’s not something that affects them personally, I like exposing them to things they may encounter in the future. I hope this builds their empathy and helps them to understand the world around them. This wonderful friendship story is sweet and warm and left me feeling hopeful.
One person found this helpful
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Alex
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Boom about Mental Health
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2022
Verified Purchase
Amazing book. I am always touched how authors are making books that tackles big topics in ways that a child can understand and enjoy. Loved it, A+
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Anna Sexton
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2022
Verified Purchase
Love this cute book. Awesome illustration.
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Tabitha Lynch
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book for my 7 year old
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
It's a beautiful, touching, and powerful story.
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Ellen L
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely and important
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2021
Have you ever looked up to someone and then watched them change? It's confusing. Little Bear looks up to Big Bear because he's always "so big and brave." But after a forest fire, Big Bear is not the same. Little Bear doesn't understand why all of a sudden, Big Bear is afraid of things that didn't scare him before. This sweet book gently introduces children to the effects of trauma and PTSD and shows how just being a friend is the best thing anyone can do to help. This book is good for parents, teachers, and counselors to share with all children.
2 people found this helpful
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tina m shepardson
5.0 out of 5 stars A Story of Friendship
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2021
Joanna Rowland has written a delightful story about friendship. Through beautiful language and adorable illustrations by John Ledda, we follow the journey of Big Bear and Little Bear. When Big Bear is frightened by an experience in the forest, Little Bear notices his change in demeanor during different situations. This allows Little Bear to become the strong, supportive, empathetic friend Big Bear needs. The story is a wonderful example of how friends can help and stand by one another during difficult times...together. A beautiful story for readers of all ages.
One person found this helpful
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J. S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book about identifying behaviors that indicate PTSD
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2022
I loved this sweet, age-appropriate story about the long-term impact of trauma and PTSD on Big Bear, which is so confusing to little bear. So many people, young and old, have experienced trauma, but do not have the resources to fully understand what has happened to them and how they are responding. Books like this encourage communication, empathy, and self-awareness. Wonderful!
One person found this helpful
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@RosiePOV
5.0 out of 5 stars Tough topic handled quite well and kid-friendly
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2021
This book tackles a tough and important topic, but does it really well and in a very kid-appropriate way. Trauma can be hard to explain to a young child, and not easily understood by kids, but this story could definitely serve as a conversation starter. The back matter that includes an interview with a medical professional is quite helpful, too.

Wonderfully written story and beautifully illustrated, I recommend this book to any home or school library.
One person found this helpful
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