The Biggest Bear

In this Caldecott Medal-winning classic, Johnny sets out to hunt for a bear pelt like his neighbors, but instead finds and befriends a small bear cub. He brings the cub home, and as it grows into a very large bear, its enormous appetite and disruptive nature become a problem for Johnny's family and the community. Johnny tries repeatedly to return his beloved pet to the wild, facing the emotional challenge of letting go. The story explores themes of responsibility, the nature of wild animals, and the bittersweet experience of growing up and making tough choices, culminating in a solution that allows Johnny to still visit his bear at the zoo.

Johnny goes hunting for a bearskin to hang on his family's barn and returns with a small bundle of trouble.