Bear Wants to Sing

Author Cary Fagan
Illustrated by Dena Seiferling
Look inside
$17.99 US
Tundra | Tundra Books
24 per carton
On sale Sep 14, 2021 | 9780735268036
Age 3-7 years
Reading Level: Lexile AD490L | Fountas & Pinnell M
Sales rights: World
Bear wants to sing his song, but the other animals won't give him a chance to perform his masterwork in this delightful picture book companion to the critically acclaimed King Mouse.

A bear finds a ukulele in the woods. It makes a nice sound -- PLINK! -- and inspires him to write his own song. His friend Mouse would love to hear it. But Bear isn't the only animal in the forest to find musical inspiration that day, and Snake, Crow and Tortoise keep taking his turn to perform. When they finally give him the opportunity and meet his song with less enthusiasm than he'd like, the discouraged bear shelves his music career forever . . . but the kindness, empathy and appreciation of his best friend will prove that his art deserves recognition and can even inspire others.

This dryly humorous and sweetly profound collaboration between two critically acclaimed children's book creators, a follow-up to the masterful King Mouse, has the makings of a modern classic.
  • SELECTION | 2022
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
  • FINALIST | 2022
    Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award
  • AWARD | 2022
    CLEL Bell Picture Book Awards
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Ezra Jack Keats New Writer/Illustrator Award
"Sparkling whimsy . . . a delicate story full of humor and friendship." —STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews

"This tender tale of creativity, manners, and nurturing friendship by the creators of King Mouse has all the makings of a contemporary classic." —STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly

"Bear Wants to Sing celebrates kindness and the joys of expressing yourself in the presence of those you love." —STARRED REVIEW, CM: Canadian Review of Materials

About

Bear wants to sing his song, but the other animals won't give him a chance to perform his masterwork in this delightful picture book companion to the critically acclaimed King Mouse.

A bear finds a ukulele in the woods. It makes a nice sound -- PLINK! -- and inspires him to write his own song. His friend Mouse would love to hear it. But Bear isn't the only animal in the forest to find musical inspiration that day, and Snake, Crow and Tortoise keep taking his turn to perform. When they finally give him the opportunity and meet his song with less enthusiasm than he'd like, the discouraged bear shelves his music career forever . . . but the kindness, empathy and appreciation of his best friend will prove that his art deserves recognition and can even inspire others.

This dryly humorous and sweetly profound collaboration between two critically acclaimed children's book creators, a follow-up to the masterful King Mouse, has the makings of a modern classic.

Awards

  • SELECTION | 2022
    Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
  • FINALIST | 2022
    Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award
  • AWARD | 2022
    CLEL Bell Picture Book Awards
  • NOMINEE | 2021
    Ezra Jack Keats New Writer/Illustrator Award

Praise

"Sparkling whimsy . . . a delicate story full of humor and friendship." —STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews

"This tender tale of creativity, manners, and nurturing friendship by the creators of King Mouse has all the makings of a contemporary classic." —STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly

"Bear Wants to Sing celebrates kindness and the joys of expressing yourself in the presence of those you love." —STARRED REVIEW, CM: Canadian Review of Materials