When Bear is a pup, everyone thinks he’s the cutest. As he grows, people say he is too loud, too much! Bear is a working dog, full of energy and keen to keep busy. In his first home, no-one gives him jobs, so he makes up his own. He finds shoes and does a little ‘renovating’ around the house – though no-one appreciates it.
Bear has a few homes until his last one, where a woman says, ‘He’s not bad. He just needs a job.’
His new home has lots of dogs – Maya, Billie and Baxter – all a bit ‘too much’ like him. They have important jobs helping researchers find koalas so they can study and protect them. Bear knows he can do this too.
He begins training every day, searching for koala fur in the backyard. Each time he finds some, he gets a tasty treat. He practises until he is really good at it. Then one day, he goes to the forest. There are so many interesting smells, but only one he is looking for. Up in a tree, he finds a koala.
When the big fires come, the forest changes. There are no more leaves or trees, just powdery ash in every direction. With special boots on his paws, Bear sets out to find koalas so they can be taken to hospital or carers while the bush recovers.
This is a story about finding purpose, protecting nature and of hope. The lively illustrations capture Bear’s boundless energy and enthusiasm for life – and his new job. I love Bear and the message this book brings.
Reviewed by Jane Stephens
Age Guide 5+
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dr Romane Cristescu trained as a vet before studying koala genetics. She is the Director of the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Detection Dogs for Conservation, and the trainer/handler/manager of dogs, including Bear, who specialise in finding animals and their poo. She is also the co-author of Poo, Spew and Other Gross Things Animals Do!.
Nic Gill loves to share stories about nature, humans and other animals. After meeting Romane and her dogs, she was so impressed that she became a conservation dog handler herself, and now works with her detection dogs in the Tasmanian wilds. She is also the author of Animal Eco-Warriors and co-author of Poo, Spew and Other Gross Things Animals Do!.
Sylvia Morris is an illustrator and science enthusiast. She loves illustrating picture books because it combines two of her favourite activities: reading and problem solving. She is also the illustrator of The Great Shark Egg Case Hunt and The Opal Dinosaur.
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