Second Best by Jane Eagland
Bear's days are very dull, because all he has nothing to do but listen to Dog talking about bones. But he knows that he is Ellie's favourite toy, so it is all right. He looks forward to the end of the day, when she will come back and tell him all about school. The Ellie has to take her favourite toy to school - and she takes Dog! How could she? Ellie catches Bear sobbing that night, and she explains that he was too big to go on the bus, but she will take him next time. And so Bear does go to school after all, and in the vote for the best toy - he finds himself second best, just like Dog.