Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories

Ages 5 to 9, Grades K to 4

Picture-book maven Jarvis brings his subtle wit and charm to the chapter-book realm with this set of stories about a most endearing pair.

Bear didn’t really like the painting. I mean, look at it.

But he liked Bird a lot, and it would remind him of her . . .

Bear and Bird are best friends, and they spend a lot of time together. They don’t always understand each other, but both agree that all they want is for their friend to be happy. So when Bear forgets the most important thing to pack for a picnic (but pretends that he didn’t), Bird doesn’t let on that she knew all along. And when Bird is upset to discover her friend has more of a certain talent than she does, Bear finds a touching way to make her feel better. Whether it’s the tale of a missing Bird and a “talking” flower that has Bear bewildered or that of a blanket whose irresistible coziness inspires a comic misunderstanding, Jarvis’s well-honed timing combines with gentle humor and genuine affection that will have readers eager for more.

About the Author

Jarvis is the author-illustrator of Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth; Tropical Terry; Follow Me, Flo!; and The Boy with Flowers in His Hair, among other picture books, as well as the illustrator of Pick a Pine Tree, Pick a Pumpkin, and Pick a Perfect Egg, all by Patricia Toht. Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories is Jarvis’s first foray into chapter books. An animator who has worked as a record jacket designer and an animation director, he lives in Manchester, England.