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Meet Pocket, created as a good luck charm for soldiers going into battle, whose bravery and loyalty lives on long after the war.
Thimble-born from tip to toe, Pocket Bear remembers every moment of his becoming. Born during the throes of WWI, he was designed to fit into the pocket of a soldier's jacket, eyes sewn a bit higher than normal so that he always gazed upward. That way, glancing at his pocket, a soldier would see an endearing token of love from someone back home, and, hopefully, a good luck charm.
Now, over a century later, Pocket serves as unofficial mayor of Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured, where stuffed toy animals are refurbished and given a fresh opportunity to be loved. He and his best feline friend Zephyrina, known far and wide as "The Cat Burglar," have seen it all, and then some.
An unforgettable tale of bravery, loyalty, and kindness, Pocket reminds us that love comes in many forms (sometimes filled with fluff), and that second chances are always possible.
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Meet the Author
Katherine Applegate is the bestselling author of beloved and award-winning books for young readers, including Odder, Home of the Brave, Crenshaw, Wishtree, Willodeen, and The One and Only Ivan, for which she won the Newbery Medal. She lives in Southern California with her family.
Glimpse into the Book
“You can never lose a true friend,” he said. “True friends are like stars: always there, even when you can’t see them.”
“Our job,” Pocket said, “our only job, is to wait with hope. Always with hope. And while we wait, to care for each other.”
“Sometimes,” Pocket said, smiling at me, “the most precious things in life are right under our nose.”
Related Resources
Wartime History: Mascot Bears
During times of war, soldiers often carried small tokens from home to remind them of the people and places they loved. Among these keepsakes were stuffed animals -- especially bears. These "mascot bears" became silent companions who brought comfort, courage, and a sense of hope to the mean and women serving far from home.
The tradition of giving soldiers small bears began during the early 1900s, around the time of World War I. Teddy bears were already popular toys for children, and families began sending miniature versions to soldiers heading overseas. Some soldiers tucked them into their pockets or backpacks, while others kept them inside their uniforms. The bears often represented the soldier's family, sweetheart, or child, serving as a small reminder of love and safety in a dangerous world.
Many soldiers believed their mascot bears brought them good luck. Some even posed for photos with their bears or gave them names. These stuffed companions were more than toys -- they symbolized home, hope, and humanity amid the hardships of war.
Even today, stuffed animals are used to bring comfort to people during difficult times. Charities and hospitals give out teddy bears to children facing illness or trauma, and soldiers still sometimes receive small mascots from loved ones before deployment. The mascot bear continues to remind us that kindness and love can travel anywhere -- even to the front lines.
Soldiers would sometimes tuck a lucky charm or keepsake in their pocket when they set off for war. Perhaps as a way of remembering times of warmth and love at a time of utter desperation and human destruction. These mascots of home may have been pulled out and admired in the trenches or simply just knowing they were there at the bottom of their pocket may have brought some comfort.
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