Because studies have found that children can lose a year in their reading skills and motivation during summers, this planning guide suggests ways for librarians to interest children in a summer reading program by appealing to their fascination with bears and teddy bears. The guide is organized chronologically, beginning with a timetable, followed by suggestions for planning the summer program eight months ahead of time. The guide also provides space to record ideas about bears and to organize the program's goals and the library's bear resources. Forms are provided to facilitate an inventory of the library's supplies. The guide includes large planning calendars and bibliographies of in-print and out-of-print bear books that the library may already have or can order (divided by age group and type of book). There is also a sample annotated bear bibliography aimed at children. The guide next offers order forms for companies that supply bear craft materials, and the final section of the guide consists of activity planning forms for many types of bear-related activities. (SKC)