“Here at Second Chances,” Pocket continued, “we report to two lovely humans. Elizaveta and Dasha, her daughter, make sure we are prepared for new homes. ... “Our job,” Pocket said, “our only job, is to wait with hope. Always with hope.
And while we wait, to care for each other.”
Elizaveta and her daughter, Dasha, are refugees from war-torn Ukraine. Their cat named Zephyrina brings them gifts in the form of old discarded toys. Dasha has named their home Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured. When the toys arrive they have a few days outside on display just in case their actual owner comes by to retrieve them then the toy is taken inside and restored. First stop the freezer to remove any bugs then off to the day spa (bathroom) for a thorough cleaning. The plan is that over time to old toys will find new homes. Dasha also writes a history for each bear - I loved this idea.
Look closely - Pocket is standing on the piano to address the gathering of toys.
What Elizaveta and Dasha don't know is that these toys have nighttime adventures and that they have a 'leader' named Pocket. He is a tiny pocket bear made to comfort soldiers during World War I. As this story begins Zephyrina has bought in a new bear. Later he is named Berwon. The curious possibility about this new bear is that he might be from the famous Steif factory. If that is true he could be worth a lot of money so it is at this point of the story an unscrupulous antique toy dealer arrives. She connives to steal Berwon - his rescue will leave you breathless.
Every part of this book made me smile especially the gentle wisdom of Pocket and the voice of the street wise cat Zephyrina also known as Corporal Z. Here are a few text quotes:
Thing about Pocket, first thing you noticed, was his height. Guy was tiny, even for a stuffed toy. Three and a half inches max, nose to toes. He was fond of saying—Pocket was fond of saying many things - “We are, all of us, small for a while. But only a fortunate few stay small forever.”
He said the most important feature of a mascot bear, besides his size, was the positioning of his eyes. Dark glass edged in gold, they were set higher than you might expect. That way, if a soldier, pining away for his family or his sweetheart, glanced down at his pocket, he would see a little bear gazing up at him. I had my doubts when Pocket told me this. It seemed like an awfully big burden to put on the shoulders of a tiny bear.
“Your fellow recruits are all here after lives of many kinds.” Pocket began striding up and down the piano keys. “Some brutal. Some brimming with sweetness. Some wild with adventure. Some unhurried and serene.” He smiled. “All complicated. All beautiful.”
She lowered Berwon into the bubbles, careful to keep his head above the water. She only immersed the toys briefly. Didn’t want to get them too wet, I suppose. “I love watching you at work.” Elizaveta leaned against the wall and smiled. “You’re so gentle.” Dasha reached for the brush. She stroked the fur on Berwon’s back. “I like it. It feels good to take something messed up and make it, you know … not so messed up.”
The sign says Welcome to Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured
You will need to wait until February 2026 to pick up this book here in Australia (I read the ebook version). Hopefully it will be available from your favourite independent bookstore [9781760266622].
It would be wonderful to share this book as a family read aloud. Think about exploring words such as incredulous; imperfections; arctophiles; spry; and altruist. The 93 chapters are very short so you could read 5 or 6 each night. This book has 272 pages. You also must hunt out other books by
Katherine Applegate. I have SO many favourites.
Here is her website. Here are some
teachers notes - not sure I would use these. I think this is a book just to read and love!
During World War I Farnell contributed to the war effort by making miniature soldier bears that were often given to soldiers by their loved ones as good luck. The bears had upturned faces so they could look out from their soldier’s front pocket to see what was going on. Read more here
Applegate’s writing is exquisitely nuanced; she couches profound themes in accessible language that depicts relatable situations. Gentle, generous Elizaveta and Dasha poignantly underscore the human impact of wars. Santoso’s enchanting, delicate, black-and-white illustrations bring the timeless feeling of a classic to this hopeful, humanizing story of the distressed looking out for each other. Kirkus Star review
Publisher blurb: Thimble-born from tip to toe, Pocket Bear remembers every moment of his becoming: the glimmering needle, the silken thread, the tender hands as each careful stitch brought him closer to himself. Born during the throes of WWI, he was designed to fit into the pocket of a soldier’s jacket, eyes sewn a bit higher than normal so that he always gazed upward. That way, glancing at his pocket, a soldier would see an endearing token of love from someone back home, and, hopefully, a good luck charm. Now, over a century later, Pocket serves as unofficial mayor of Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured, where stuffed toy animals are refurbished and given a fresh opportunity to be loved. He and his best feline friend Zephyrina, known far and wide as “The Cat Burglar,” have seen it all, and then some. An unforgettable tale of bravery, loyalty, and kindness, Pocket reminds us all that love comes in many forms (sometimes filled with fluff), and that second chances are always possible.
"Applegate’s latest strikes at the heart, addressing the vitality of empathy, the long-lasting effects of war, and the power of found family. Readers follow the plot through Zephyrina’s perspective and journey from a tough street cat to a loving pet. One can either let their past harden them or let it soften them to the world around them, and the characters of Applegate’s book strive for empathy and softness. School Library Journal, starred review
Final wisdom from the author Katherine Applegate in her author notes:
If you’ve ever loved a stuffed toy, you’ll understand. And if you haven’t, well, there’s still time, as Pocket says. There’s always time.
Companion books:
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