A story about lost items that are loved and cared for before finding new homes, Tuesday’s Bear will remind readers not to treat things as disposable.

The story opens with a family purchasing in bulk items that have been relegated to the Lost & Found (later clarified as being lost at a bus station). The family believes lost luggage and similar items should not be thrown away, given that they were clearly cared for by someone. The family cleans and repairs all the toys, shoes, and bits of jewelry they’ve rescued, then hosts a sale for their neighborhood.

Throughout the process, the eponymous bear is played with by the youngest boy in the family. The bear serves as a witness, protector, and companion to items made new again. The story ends as the older brother in the family purchases the bear, officially gifting it to his sibling. This creates a sweet, final reminder that even lost things can find their way into a loving home again.

The story is uplifting, unique, and complemented by whimsical illustrations that bring creativity to routine moments of cleaning and polishing and depict the joy of people discovering new items to cherish. It makes for a charming and memorable bedtime story, and the myriad details in each illustration provide it with re-read value.

The through-line of the bear’s perspective is also clever, as the story’s premise is likely more interesting for adults than children. This doesn’t fully counteract the fact, however, that both the bear and his new friend, the young boy, are merely bystanders who never influence the core narrative. As a result, the story can feel passive from the perspective of characters most similar to the young readers who will be enjoying it.

Regardless, Tuesday’s Bear is a beautifully illustrated and positive story about a family that brings care and joy to the things and people around them, including a misplaced toy and his new friend.