“Second Best” by Jane Eagland and illustrated by Terry Milne,2005. Myriad Books Limited. Picture Book. Ages 4-7.
If “Little Mo” ministered to my little one, this book brought assurance to my first child.
Bear and Dog are Ellie’s toys . Bear sleeps with Ellie on the bed while Dog sits on the shelf. Ever since Ellie started school, Bear has felt lonely. One day, Ellie comes home from school and tells bear that the children have been told to bring their facourite toy to school. Bear is elated . He just can’t wait to meet the rest of the children .
But when the next morning comes, it is Dog that Ellie picks, not bear. Bear is heartbroken.
When Dog is brought back, he tells Bear about the wonderful experiences that he had at school. This makes Bear even sadder. That night, while lying on Ellie’s bed, he looks out into the might sky and imagines that he sees the “Great Bear” among the stars, looking at him, understanding him. In his sadness he cries. This wakes Ellie up. The two friends talk into the night. Ellie explains why she brought Dog and not him for show and tell. And the two friends are reconciled.
At the end of the story, both Dog and Bear feel affirmed that they are both “first best” to Ellie.
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