Watching The Bear

This best-selling tale of exploration and belonging, which won the Waterstones Childrens Book Prize 2016, Illustrated Book Category, is now available in board book.

A "Reading Rainbow" Feature Title Zum, zum, buzz.... zum, zum, buzz... What's that strange buzz coming from the double bass? Berlioz has no time to investigate, because he and his bear orchestra are due at the gala ball in the village square at eight. But Berlioz is so worried about his buzzing bass that he steers the mule and his bandwagon full of magicians into a hole in the road and gets stuck. Time is running out, and if a rooster, a cat, a billy goat, a plow horse, and an ox can't rescue the bandwagon, who can? As the suspense mounts, intricate borders reveal the village animals making their way to the square one by one. When the clock chimes eight, the animals, ready to dance, have filled the square-but there's no sign of Berlioz. Jan Brett's glorious illustrations invite the eye to linger over exquisite details and humorous nuances that enhance the story. This delightful cumulative tale is one that will be looked at again and again.

Watch the Bear chronicles a half century of Derek Stonorov's remarkable field experience studying brown bear behavior as a research scientist and guide in some of Alaska's most beautiful wild places.

Bear meets sandwich, adventure ensues. . . . An irresistible treat for fans of Jon Klassen, Peter Brown, and Mo Willems. By now I think you know what happened to your sandwich. But you may not know how it happened. So let me tell you. It all started with the bear . . . So begins Julia Sarcone-Roach’s delicious tale of a bear, lost in the city, who happens upon an unattended sandwich in the park. The bear’s journey from forest to city and back home again is full of happy accidents, funny encounters, and sensory delights. The story is so engrossing, it’s not until the very end that we begin to suspect this is a TALL tale. The wonderfully told story, spectacular illustrations, and surprise ending make this Julia Sarcone-Roach’s best book to date. You’ll want to share it with your friends (and keep a close eye on your lunch). Praise for The Bear Ate Your Sandwich: ***Winner of an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor Award!*** "This story is mischief-making at its finest. And just like a good sandwich, it's hard to resist." - Book Page "Charming" — The Wall Street Journal "While the bear storyline is entertaining in itself, the ending twist will equally delight kids who love to spot untruths, and a second reading for hints as to the narrator’s credibility may well be in order." — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Starred review

They terrify and fascinate us. They are moving closer to us as climate change, deforestation, and rural development diminish their habitats. Once considered rare, romantic creatures, bears are now as common in some places as raccoons. Some say we should leave them alone; others argue that responsible hunting will serve both bears and humans best. Weighing both sides of the argument, award-winning writer Jake MacDonald examines the history and behavior of the three species of bears in North America—grizzlies, black bears, and polar bears. Part memoir and part natural history, In Bear Country draws on the personal experiences of MacDonald and others, providing an absorbing story about the place bears occupy in our world and the place we occupy in theirs. As MacDonald skillfully weaves a compelling meditation on our continent’s largest predators, he delivers a profound and powerful message for all to consider as bear country quickly shrinks and our worlds collide.

Bear Encounters is a collection of more than 90 stories about the run-ins everyday people have with bears. From the one about the black bear at the cabin that was chased away by the fifteen-pound family dog, to the bear that harmlessly wandered through a Boy Scout camp, these brief and often funny encounters capture the true nature of bears. The stories were collected from fans of the North American Bear Center and are grouped into sections that debunk common bear myths.

This title allows parents to introduce their child to the circle of life. Children should enjoy following the progress of the bear cub narrator and they can watch and learn while he grows up into independence. Fun-fact boxes should add interest and help to encourage further reading.