Book of the week; Susan’s bears by Mildred Lawrence

Although Susan isn't afraid of bears in the zoo, she is very much afraid of the imaginary bears that live upstairs at Aunt Marian's house.

Susan is a big girl now, but she is still afraid of bears.  Not that she has seen any, other than the ones in the zoo, and they are much too good-natured to make anyone afraid. But Susan is very much afraid of the bears she can’t see – the ones that live outside her bedroom door.  Aunt Marian is always telling Susan not to be silly but it really doesn’t help – Susan just knows the bears are there.

Cousin John agrees with Susan; “Bears? Certainly we have bears!”  “There is a whole family of bears, I remember them distinctly. Nice bears, too.”  “There are four I believe,” “Mr and Mrs Bear and the twins, whose names I forget.” They are the bears from the zoo “they stay at the zoo in the day and come here at night. They like the hall better than those chilly caves.” “So should I,” agrees Susan. But when it comes to bedtime Susan is still afraid of the bears. She runs through the hall and quickly turns on her bedroom light – and there, propped up against the mirror is a large white envelope addressed in rather wobbly writing...

"To Susan" 

We will not be behind the door tonight, as we are going to have our fur washed and curled.  From Mr and Mrs. Bear, and the twins.

The next night Susan is eager to go to bed and is excited to find another letter. This time the bears tell Susan they will be in rather late and will be sure not to wake her. Signed Mr. and Mrs. Bear, Buster and Beulah.

Susan can’t wait to go to bed every night and when she does there is always a letter waiting. But the last letter is the best one of all;

Dear Susan, We like you very much and wish we could belong to you. If you would like to have us, look behind the door. We will be waiting for you. The four B’s

Beautifully illustrated story about overcoming childhood fears.  The copy we have in stock is a first edition published in 1945, illustrated by Decie Merwin and published by Grosset and Dunlap (Story Parade Picture Book). Very scarce especially with the original dust jacket.  

When I was a very small child we lived in a cottage with no electricity. There were gas mantles in the downstairs rooms and bedrooms but nothing on the stairs. We used torch or candle light on the stairs and I can still remember the feeling of absolute dread as bedtime approached. Were you afraid of the dark, or bears or anything else?

Susan's Bears is now sold, thank you for your interest.