The Teddy Bear Express, featuring Calla Bear and friends Bearemy and Camo, will soon be chugging into local preschools, where they’ll teach students an entertaining brand of geography. The tour begins at Little Wonders Preschool in Oakley and progresses to six other preschools across North America.

The Teddy Bear Express originated in 2004 as an idea of Provider’s Playground, an e-mail group comprising hundreds of home-based childcare and preschool facilities.

Calla will spend one full week at each facility, bringing with her a photo album, journal, souvenirs and a treat for the children on her first stop. Each class will write in the journal, add pictures from her visit and give her souvenirs to take home with her, as well as a surprise to take as a gift to the next facility on the tour.

To follow Calla on her journey, visit the Teddy Bear Express home page at www.stepbystepcc.com/tbe/tbe.html. For more information, call Nanette Sposito at 925-625-5134 or e-mail lwpreschool@gmail.com.