The Ring Bear [Hardcover]

David Michael Slater (Author), S. G. Brooks (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Full of warmth and gentle humor, this is the story of Westley, an imaginative, precocious boy, and his struggle with the intrusion of an unwanted new stepdad into the happy, comfortable family he and his mother have formed. When Westley's mother announces her engagement to Stan and asks Westley to be the “ring bear,” he feels confused, frustrated, and anxious about his changing family situation and his role in the wedding ceremony. Engaging his imagination, he envisions himself as a rascally bear who will wreak havoc during the ceremony and act out his mixed feelings about his mother and Stan. When his stepdad realizes the importance of Westley's imaginary world, he reveals his own sense of humor and fun by planning a special wedding treat for Westley that helps him transform himself into a willing ring bearer and stepson.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A sweet, charming, funny, tender book...It's not a "problem" story...it's a story any kid could enjoy."  —Orson Scott Card, bestselling author, Ender's Game 

"Truly touching...clever in dealing with children who have vivid imaginations."  —Allie Bates, MyShelf.com

"Highly recommended. Be sure to read this delightful tale."  —Mary M. Alward, Great Books for Kids, Suite 101.com

"Charming…tender...opens the door for parents and children to speak with each other about their own evolving families."  —Family Times Inc.com

"With humor and compassion, David Michael Slater gets at the heart of every child's worry and anger."  —Washington Parent

"This charming, original story will engage readers of all ages. It is a much-needed book for children [whose] parents are remarrying." —Children's Literature

"Disaster's averted in this picture book, which could be useful for youngsters unsure about a new stepparent."  —The Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Tells in child-friendly language a story of the very grown-up issue of blending families."  —Eclectic Homeschool.org

From the Author

An Accelerated Reader book
Received a Society of School Librarians International Book Award 2004

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Flashlight Press (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972922512
• ISBN-13: 978-0972922517
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 10.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,066,660 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Michael Slater was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1970. He teaches high school in Portland, Oregon, where he lives with his wife and son. David writes for children, teens and adults.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ring Bear will tug at your heart strings!, May 7, 2008

By 

Betty L. Dravis "BETTY DRAVIS, author/reviewer" (Silicon Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ring Bear (Hardcover)

This highly original book by author David Michael Slater is a fascinating picture book that enthralled me from cover to cover, even as it captivated children all around the world. Published by Flashlight Press, one of my favorite children's publishing houses, the book is geared for children ages 4-8, a category I love to read.

The Ring Bear has a little bit of everything: love, joy, anger, fear, family unity, humor, adventure and much more. It deals with the serious subject of parental remarriage. The main character is a young boy named Westley who is used to his mother being a single parent and has adjusted to life without a father. His world is turned upside down when she decides to remarry.

In order to help her son with his objection to the marriage and assuage his anger and fear, his mother tells him he's going to be the ring bearer at the wedding--hoping this will make him feel more secure. Westley thinks she said "ring bear," so he comes to the wedding dressed as a bear and tries to scare everyone away.

That's when the problems--and the fun--begin. What happens then? How do the wedding guests react? How do his mother and Stan, his future stepfather, take it? Is there a happy solution to this problem, a situation that sadly happens more and more often in today's world? If so, how does it happen? Will the troubled boy finally come to realize how much his mother loves him and learn to trust her? And what does Stan do to break the ice with Westley?

Obviously, I can't tell you any more without spoiling the plot, but I can tell you that despite the serious theme, this is a book that has many giggles for you and your little ones. It's a warm-hearted book that will tug at your heart-strings ... as you cry one minute, laugh the next.

Slater makes his characters so believable you will feel like you are there with them, and no one will be able to forget the mischievous, yet endearing Westley. The colorful, charming illustrations by talented artist S. G. Brooks enhance the story-line, helping bring it even more alive.

This unusual wedding adventure is a touching book which will be helpful for children whose parents are remarrying. I recommend it highly. If you feel the same, look for Grandfather's Wrinkles, Grandpa for Sale, and Carla's Sandwich ... other releases by this same popular publisher whose editor has the uncanny ability to know what children enjoy reading.

Review by: Betty Dravis, 2008
author of The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Imaginative Adventure, July 7, 2005

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ring Bear (Hardcover)

David Michael Slater is a Language Arts teacher who has a unique way of expressing magical realism from a child's perspective. It goes a little beyond imagination and the characters play out fantasy situations and become pirates.

Westley is a young child struggling with the idea of his mother remarrying and when she asks him to be the ring bearer, he thinks she wants him to be a "Ring Bear." He is very upset and decides to ruin her plans. He doesn't like Stan because he seems to lack the playful imagination Westley thrives on.

As he acts out his frustration, he becomes a bear or a pirate and through his imaginary world he undergoes a psychological metamorphosis. You can really feel his initial anger and jealousy.

The last few pages are heartwarming and as Stan realizes he has to play Westley's creative game he calls out:

"Captain, there's a bear stowed away on our ship!"

Westley looks up and as he runs down the isle, he transforms from a bear into a loveable and dutiful son.

If you enjoy this book, look for:

The Only One Club
Carla's Sandwich
Holly Bloom's Garden

~The Rebecca Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm and Realistic Look At Being A Stepchild, August 17, 2004

By 

Lisa Cohn "co-author, 'One Family, Two Family... (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ring Bear (Hardcover)

In this warm and beautifully illustrated book, children get a realistic look at how it feels to have a parent re-marry. The main character, Westley, knows his mom loves him; but what about Stan, her fiancé? The author shows how confused a child can be when a new stepparent enters his life. The author does this in a way that is engaging for both adults and children. In the end, "The Ring Bear" provides children with hope about the potential for feeling loved and accepted by a new stepparent.