Little Draggin' Bear

Children's Literature - Nancy Garhan Attebury

This book features Little Draggin' Bear, a paralyzed cat who loves draggin' his wheelchair around with him so he can run and play like other cats. Readers learn that though his start in life was difficult and he has had hardships, the cat has worked to overcome them and, in the process, has become an inspiration to others. This informative, high-interest book is one of the "Inspiring Animals" series. The layout is attractive with two-page spreads that include well-captioned, bright photos, short fact-filled sections of text, and a starred section that poses pertinent questions for readers to think about or discuss. The book is extremely educational without being didactic and offers readers information about Little Draggin' Bear's early life, where he lives, what he does today, and what he does for others. The text is entertaining and useful for gathering report material. One spread, entitled "All about Cats," addresses basic attributes of kittens and adult cats, as well as their eyes, fur, toes, and tails. End material features a project where readers can design a wheelchair that might work for an animal like Little Draggin' Bear. A list of other books and websites for further learning, as well as a glossary and an index are included. All books in the series will enhance social studies and science curriculums. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury