Brown Bear & Oofie Present: The Lost Identity


Children - Social Issues
44 Pages
Reviewed on 06/20/2019
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Masami S.C. has two young girls and communicating with them is not always easy, especially with social issues. Masami S.C. decided to create a special way to get her messages directly to her girls through illustration and a simple story. Brown Bear & Oofie are her daughters' favorite stuffed animals and with them as the communicators, Masami S.C. was able to address complex issues with her daughters in a simple, non-confrontational and effective manner, thus opening the door to easy and comfortable communication with her children. Masami S.C. thought her messages, originally and humbly drawn on notebook paper, might be able to help other kids worldwide. Maintaining her vision for her books, Masami S.C. self-published her first two books to a warm and receptive audience. She has won several awards:
"The Verbal Bully":: GOLD AWARD- Mom's Choice Awards, PREFERRED CHOICE AWARD- Creative Child Magazine.
"The Lost Identity":: SILVER AWARD- Mom's Choice Awards, 2019 BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD- Creative Child Magazine, and 2019 FINALIST for books on social issues- Readers Favorite International Book awards
2019 Finalist for the Book Excellence Awards

Serena Caspary Basu goes by the pseudonym Masami S.C. for her written and illustrated children's books.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Brown Bear & Oofie Present: The Lost Identity is a children’s social issues picture book written and illustrated by Masami S.C. Brown Bear and Oofie had just been playing with their friend, Herman. Oofie mentioned how much she liked Herman’s freckles, which made Brown Bear pause and think a bit. Were the marks on Herman’s face freckles? As Oofie began talking, Brown Bear seemed to lose focus and get involved in her own thoughts. Suddenly she left the room and came back a little later looking just a bit different. Oofie wondered what happened to Brown Bear; then she started laughing. Silly Brown Bear, she looks fine just the way she is. Brown Bear is unique and special. So are Herman and Oofie. Each of them has their own identity, made up of how they think, behave and look.

Masami S.C.’s children’s social issues picture book, Brown Bear & Oofie Present: The Lost Identity, has the two iconic friends discussing an issue many kids grapple with in social settings, especially in school and playgrounds. While it may seem cool to look or act like other kids, especially very popular ones, it’s really best of all to just be yourself as Brown Bear discovers when her attempt to make freckles goes awry. The author’s characters are both wise and funny, and her illustrations, which are brightly colored and upbeat, will make this a very popular selection with young readers and for story time sessions. I also appreciated how Masami highlights the featured words used in the story and includes a glossary of them at the end of the book. Brown Bear & Oofie Present: The Lost Identity is most highly recommended.

Gisela Dixon

Brown Bear & Oofie Present: The Lost Identity by Masami S.C. is a short children’s book with an important lesson for young children. In the book, we meet two good friends, Brown Bear and Oofie. They are talking about Herman and Oofie mentions that Herman’s freckles are nice and cute. Brown Bear immediately starts thinking about getting some freckles like Herman and so she goes and applies glitter to look more like Herman. When she rejoins Oofie, Oofie initially finds it funny and humorous but then, on a serious note, explains to Brown Bear that her own identity is enough and is unique all on its own. She does not need to copy or imitate anybody else to be “cooler” and neither is she any less of a person than anybody else. Brown Bear understands and learns an important lesson of self-identity and pride and acceptance in who she is. There is also a short list of featured words at the end of this book for young children to improve their vocabulary.

I loved Brown Bear & Oofie Present: The Lost Identity and thought it was just such a relevant and important concept that has been presented in such a simple, charming way. This book is sure to appeal to kids, especially young ones, as the illustrations complement the story really well and will be relatable to small children. Masami writes in an engaging style that is not only entertaining as a fun and silly story in itself, but more importantly, teaches such a great concept with simple clarity. In an age of increasing stress and peer pressure, it is vital for kids to understand and accept themselves for who they are. This is a lesson for kids and adults alike and this book does a great job of presenting it.

A. L. Peevey

In Brown Bear & Oofie Present: The Lost Identity by Masami S.C., young readers meet two friends: Brown Bear and Oofie. They have just been playing with their friend, Herman. Herman has freckles, which both friends find special. They have a discussion about Herman and why his freckles make him unique. As Oofie talks about Herman, Brown Bear suddenly has an idea and runs out of the room. When she comes back, she has a surprise for Oofie, but Oofie is not happy about Brown Bear’s surprise. Can Oofie explain what’s wrong with Brown Bear’s surprise? Will Brown Bear understand Oofie’s explanation and learn a lesson from it?

Brown Bear & Oofie Present: The Lost Identity by Masami S.C. is one in a series of children’s books. These books can, with the help of teachers and parents, teach young readers how to express their feelings when confronted with everyday situations that can be uncomfortable, such as when they do not fit in. This book highlights specific vocabulary and uses it in contexts and definitions so that young readers can learn to talk about how they feel and what makes them special. Also, it emphasizes that they should not try to be anyone but themselves and to be happy with who they are and what makes them unique. Illustrated with simple, yet vividly colored artwork, this book is an attractive and fun read that also teaches young readers to be comfortable with themselves and to help their friends to be happy with who they are as well.

Barbara Fanson

Parents will like the message behind Brown Bear & Oofie Present: The Lost Identity: "I should be happy with who I truly am." The two main characters are likable and relatable. Two friends discuss features that friend Herman has that make him special. Brown Bear transforms herself so she looks more like Herman. Should she change herself? The two friends discuss whether they should change to resemble someone else. Brown Bear tries to look like someone else. She should be happy with her own unique qualities. Author Masami S.C. starts the conversation for parents and teachers to continue with children. Because there is a mix of narration and dialogue, this book is well suited to being read with children. This story opens up discussions about being yourself and includes a glossary of terms used in the book.

Brown Bear & Oofie Present: The Lost Identity is a colorful children’s picture book that explores special qualities and uniqueness that we all have. Masami S.C. has written a book with a hidden message: be yourself. This book opens up discussion about what makes you unique? How are you different from others? Should you change yourself to fit in or to be different? Everyone has special qualities that make him or her distinct. Simple artwork by the author illustrates the dialogue between the two friends. The full-color pictures fill the pages and showcase the expressions of both Brown Bear and Oofie. Bright, bold colors tend to invite children to open a book.

Viga Boland

Brown Bear and her buddy, a dog named Oofie, have appeared in other books by Masami S.C. In this sweet story, when the two are talking about the fun they had playing with another friend, Herman, Oofie tells Brown Bear she likes Herman’s freckles. On hearing this, Brown Bear wants to have freckles too, and when she next appears, she has acquired freckles…but not quite the natural ones like Herman’s. Brown Bear’s attempt at having freckles has Oofie doubling over with laughter, but then, like a good friend should do, Oofie says just the right things to Brown Bear to make her realize she is beautiful as she is…the perfect message to give young children.

In a world where, sadly, so much importance is placed on our looks, one can never have too many ways of showing children the importance of liking themselves as they are. That’s why Brown Bear & Oofie Present: The Lost Identity by Masami S.C. is a most welcome addition to books for children. Like Masami S.C.’s other books, this book is brightly colored, uses large lettering and the simple cartoon characters that young children love. Where the author uses “bigger” words that might be unfamiliar to children, she underlines them and provides a short list of those words with their definitions at the end of the book. Educational and entertaining, you can’t go wrong adding Brown Bear & Oofie Present: The Lost Identity to your child’s book shelf.