Gary is a young bear on the autism spectrum. He likes sharks, says what he means, and sometimes covers his ears. Gary the Bear is a warm picture book that introduces a classmate, not a diagnosis — a gentle way to talk about autism, acceptance, and friendship with children ages 4–8. Written by Jacki Morariu about a real child in her life, it reads aloud in about four minutes, which makes it a natural first-week-of-school read and an Autism Acceptance Month favorite for teachers, counselors, and families. Pair it with our free teacher discussion guide to turn the story into a conversation about kindness and inclusion. Perfect for: SEL classrooms, inclusive libraries, and any family talking with a child about a friend who does things a little differently.