Ideally, a group facilitator presents Bear Essentials monthly. Each meeting has a corresponding theme. For additional book selections for each theme, review our Additional Resources.

Themes	When	Book	Activity	Craft
Understanding Cancer	Any time	My Mommy Has Cancer	Tour of cancer center	Drawing a story about cancer
Quiet Time	Any time	Tucking Mommy In	Learning stations	Indian bean game
Hope	May -- in preparation of National Cancer Survivor's Day	If I Were in Charge of the World	Banner for survivor's day	Pictures
Giving	November	Thanksgiving Day	Play	Giving coupons/ baskets
New Begingings	January- or whenever bulbs are available in your area	Miss Rumphius	Plant crocus bulbs	Sponge painting flower pots
Friendship	Anytime	Frog and Toad All Year	String connection	Friendship beads
Love	February	The Kissing Hand	Love heart puzzle	Valentines
Feelings	Anytime	Double Dip Feelings	Felt board faces	Inside/outside feelings
Rainbows & Seasons	Summer	A Rainbow of My Own or What's Heaven?	Puppet Show	Painted t-shirts
Family Memories	Anytime	My First Family Tree Book	Memory game	Scrapbook/journal