Bobby The Bear And The Great Race By Ryan O'Connor

The Bobby the Bear book series by Ryan O'Connor, a Kansas City author, shares lessons in kindness valuable for all to hear.

Description of the story by the author:

"“We all want to win, but we must never cheat.” In an ever-growing competitive world, people will do anything to win. That sentiment has been passed down to children who think cheating is acceptable if they win. In the third book in the Bobby the Bear series, Bobby the Bear and the Great Race explores the important themes of sportsmanship and integrity. Bobby, the story's protagonist, and his forest friends are conversing about who the fastest animal in the forest is.  Bobby suggests they race, but he knows he cannot win, so he becomes the judge. All the forest friends enthusiastically agreed. During the race, all the animals are close to each other, and Rachel the Rabbit pulls away at the end. However, as Rachel inched closer to the finish line, she noticed someone already standing next to Bobby; it was Tanya the Tiger. Confused, Rachel questioned Tanya about how she had won when Tanya was one of the slower animals. Finally, Tanya admitted to cheating. Rachel was upset and hopped away. Bobby calmly and gently spoke to Tanya and explained that there is more important than winning—integrity.  Bobby and Tanya went to find Rachel and all the other animal friends so Tanya could apologize. That night, Tanya presented a crown to the fastest animal in the forest, Rachel.

The story Bobby the Bear and the Great Race shows the damage that can be caused if someone cheats—losing friendship, trust, and integrity. Tanya the Tiger learns, like the readers will, that playing fairly and honestly is more important than winning and losing."