Bear and Bird

"These humorous, touching, imaginative stories are matched by illustrations with the same qualities. . . . Friendship at its best." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Bear and Bird are the best of friends, but yesterday they had a falling out. And although they can't quite remember why, each is sure that a new best friend is now in order. If Bear sends an anonymous letter floating down the river, will it be found by someone nice--someone with whom he has as much in common as he did with Bird? In this quartet of tales, the endearing duo is back to show that even friends who sometimes get their wires crossed can always be each other's best supporter--whether making plans to meet that go comically awry, baking hideously inedible surprise cakes, or savoring a starlit moment together (and getting carried away with wishes for just one more thing to make it perfect). With his signature subtle wit, irresistible art, and an underlying affection, Jarvis draws newly independent readers into a sweet friendship for the ages.

Bird feels a flutter of jealousy when Bear is unduly entertained by the jocular Mole in Jarvis's third set of stories about the endearing pair. Usually, a new wonky stick for Bird's collection would be exciting, but . . . not today. "Hmm," said Bear. "Well, in that case, I think it's time for . . . The Dance." Bear and Bird are the best of friends. They don't always understand each other, but both agree that all they want is to make the other happy. So when Bird is under the weather, Bear arrives with a backpack of goodies and his best rendition of The Dance to try to make her feel better. And when Bear and Bird hang out with Mole--who tells hilarious jokes!--Bird eventually realizes that she doesn't need to compete for Bear's attention, since there's plenty of laughter to go around. Whether it's a comedy of errors around a Do Not Go in the Hole sign or the discovery that doing nothing together is the true badge of friendship, Jarvis tempers the mix-ups and misunderstandings with a genuine warmth and affection in this quartet of stories starring a most charming pair.

"These humorous, touching, imaginative stories are matched by illustrations with the same qualities. . . . Friendship at its best." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Bear and Bird are the best of friends, but yesterday they had a falling out. And although they can't quite remember why, each is sure that a new best friend is now in order. If Bear sends an anonymous letter floating down the river, will it be found by someone nice--someone with whom he has as much in common as he did with Bird? In this quartet of tales, the endearing duo is back to show that even friends who sometimes get their wires crossed can always be each other's best supporter--whether making plans to meet that go comically awry, baking hideously inedible surprise cakes, or savoring a starlit moment together (and getting carried away with wishes for just one more thing to make it perfect). With his signature subtle wit, irresistible art, and an underlying affection, Jarvis draws newly independent readers into a sweet friendship for the ages.

Bird feels a flutter of jealousy when Bear is unduly entertained by the jocular Mole in Jarvis's third set of stories about the endearing pair. Usually, a new wonky stick for Bird's collection would be exciting, but . . . not today. "Hmm," said Bear. "Well, in that case, I think it's time for . . . The Dance." Bear and Bird are the best of friends. They don't always understand each other, but both agree that all they want is to make the other happy. So when Bird is under the weather, Bear arrives with a backpack of goodies and his best rendition of The Dance to try to make her feel better. And when Bear and Bird hang out with Mole--who tells hilarious jokes!--Bird eventually realizes that she doesn't need to compete for Bear's attention, since there's plenty of laughter to go around. Whether it's a comedy of errors around a Do Not Go in the Hole sign or the discovery that doing nothing together is the true badge of friendship, Jarvis tempers the mix-ups and misunderstandings with a genuine warmth and affection in this quartet of stories starring a most charming pair.