This flannel comes from the book Best Dressed Bear by Mary Blocksma. I’ve actually never seen the book, but got this from a co-worker (I think?). It’s a nice rhyme, but honestly, my version has devolved into telling the kids that bear is going to a party and wants to be the best-dressed bear. What should he wear? We talk about all of the things he has to put on (vocabulary building!!) and I put them on EXACTLY in the order they tell me. Hilarity ensues. But if you want to do the ORIGINAL version, here it is:
A bear went down to a store in town.
“A dance!” Said the bear. “I’m going to a dance.
WHAT can I wear to be the best dressed bear?”
Bear has shorts as the kids kept telling me he needed them. So I made them.
“Socks,” said the fox, “get socks that are new.
You can get one, or you can get two.”
(Chorus) “Look!” Said the bear, “just look at me now,
I am the best dressed bear. OH WOW!”
“Not yet! Get a shoe!” said the kangaroo.
“You can get one, or you can get two!”
(Repeat Chorus)
Bear's not afraid of color.
“Not yet,” said the sheep, “You need to wear,
A shirt and a tie, to be the best-dressed bear.”
(Repeat Chorus)
“Not yet,” said the goat, “Get a coat with a tail.
“Look at this coat, you can get it on sale!”
(Repeat Chorus)
“Not yet,” said the cat, “You need a new hat!
You cannot go without a hat like that!”
(Repeat Chorus)
Bear wears his hat at a jaunty angle, a la Gene Kelly.
“I’m the best,” said the bear, “I’m the best I can be.
I’m off to the dance, so EVERYONE can see.”
Then the bear left, to go out the door,
But everyone said, “there’s just ONE THING MORE!”
(KIDS CAN GUESS WHAT HE’S MISSING)
…”PANTS!” said the bear, when he got to the door.
“A best-dressed bear needs something more!”
You're never fully dressed without a smile! Bear also has mittens because the kids requested them.
So he went to the dance, in a new pair of pants,
and EVERYONE said, when the bear got there…
Look at that wonderful BEST-DRESSED BEAR!
(Stylish, isn’t he?)
See more Flannel Friday posts at So Tomorrow, Nikarella, Mel’s Desk, Rain Makes Applesauce, Abby the Librarian, 1234 More Storytimes, Miss Mollie’s Storytime Fun, Read Rabbit Read, Storytime Secrets and Storytime Katie (links to the right!)!
Or, check So Tomorrow later today for a round-up of all today’s Flannel Friday posts!
missmaryliberry.com 
Bear’s hat is just cracking me up. I also love that the kids made you give him underwear. Thanks for sharing!
I love that you included mittens because the kids requested it!