Yellowknife (Feb 28/03) - Josh Round has a new friend.

His friend is soft, furry and is travelling the world in a cardboard box. His name is Bob the Travelling Bear and he's part of an interactive geography lesson launched by a Grade 4 class at a school in Lumsden, Sask.

So far Bob has been to Nagano, Japan, and Dundee, Scotland. He has also ridden in the RCMP Musical Ride in Ottawa.

"He travels and travels for a very long time and then someone will be ready to send him back to Saskatchewan," explained Josh last Monday afternoon.

Josh's grandmother, Barb Round, gave him the bear after bringing Bob to Yellowknife. Bob arrived in the NWT on Feb. 10 and visited Norman Wells and Fort Simpson before coming to Yellowknife. He's been quilting and visited the Wildcat Cafe.

Josh brought the bear on Monday for show and tell and is responsible for writing about Bob's visit to Yellowknife in Bob's little journal. He also pinned a J.H. Sisson school pin to Bob's jacket.

Josh said if he could send Bob anywhere in the world, he'd send him to visit his cousin in Edmonton. As to what Bob's next destination will be depends on who wants to take him.

Josh returned Bob to his grandmother this week. Barb will pass him on to continue the adventure.