The Ring Bear
By David Michael Slater; S. G. Brooks (Illustrator)
(Flashlight Press, Hardcover, 9780972922517, 32pp.)
Publication Date: May 2004
Categories: General
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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.
David Michael Slater is a seventh-grade language arts teacher and the author of Cheese Louise! He has written short stories that have appeared in Eureka, Pleiades, and Leviathan magazines and was named the Winner for New Talent in the Great American Book Contest, 2000. He lives in Portland, Oregon. S. G. Brooks is best known as one of the illustrators of Smokey the Bear. His work has appeared in Cricket magazine, The Washington Post, and The Natural Inquirer, and he illustrated The Three Armadillies Tuff. He lives in Washington, D.C.
"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
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