The Beary Different Magnificent Bear by Emunah La-Paz
Bullying is nothing new, but that doesn’t make it any less painful. It seems that in every class, there’s a bully with a knack for picking out differences and insecurities in other classmates. Yet as mean as schoolyard teasing can be, there’s another aspect of bullying that isn’t always discussed. It seems that when it comes to judging an individual for standing out, children can be their own worst enemy.
Emunah La-Paz explores that exact scenario in her book The Beary Different Magnificent Bear (Hubbard Small Press Publications). Through the imaginative world of Bearlinda and her fuzzy friends, La-Paz shows how teasing affects children’s sense of self-worth, and how to help them feel comfortable in their own skin.
A RAINBOW OF EVERY COLOR
Welcome to the world of Beary Land, where bears seem to come in shades of every color, from the lightest of yellows to the deepest of blues. But one bear stands out among the rest; while all other bears are monochromatic, Bearlinda’s multicolored fur is quite the sight. Bearlinda’s unique fur makes her a target for teasing, though, and the writing doesn’t hold back when describing how some of the other students treat her:
“Some of the bears at school made Bearlinda feel down. / They called her ugly and said that with her fur, she looked like a clown.”
With such unkindness being sent her way, it’s no wonder that Bearlinda feels insecure about her appearance. She tries several techniques to dye her fur a new color, but only succeeds in making a mess and feeling even more down. That’s when Bearlinda’s mom reminds her that her unique fur is a part of what makes Bearlinda special. “The color of your fur is a rainbow of love,” Bearlinda’s mother tells her. In fact, it’s what makes her a “beary different magnificent bear” in her parents’ eyes. With their support, Bearlinda can finally see the beauty in her individuality and learn to love the colors of her fur.
A MIRROR REFRACTING LIGHT
Even in this fantastical tale of talking bears, Bearlinda’s turbulent emotions are all-too familiar to us readers. We feel her embarrassment at being singled out, her sadness when the other bears make fun of her and, ultimately, her triumphant happiness at accepting herself for who she is. Through this world of ursine companions, the author holds a mirror to society, reflecting the problems many children have with their self-esteem. This book provides a safe space for children to examine and work through their own insecurities. By following Bearlinda’s emotional journey to self-acceptance, these young readers can see that they’re not alone in their struggle, and that confidence can bring the happiness they’re looking for.
And the lessons of Beary Land don’t stop with Bearlinda’s journey. The first in the Kingdomcubs series, The Beary Different Magnificent Bear is only the beginning of a journey to courage and assuredness. Readers can follow future bears’ stories of inner strength, and know that they don’t need to conform to be worthy of love and respect. It’s their own uniqueness that makes them who they are — a beary different, magnificent person.
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About Emunah La-Paz:
Emunah La-Paz is an American author. Her first book Chocolate Burnout embraces multi-cultural heritage and is recognized in the Mavin foundation database of books by authors who touch on interracial relationships.
About Lavender Lashay:
