Author and Illustrator David Litchfield
First published 2015
Publisher Frances Lincoln, London, UK
A beautifully illustrated story about finding where you belong in the world.
Story
One day a bear cub finds a strange instrument in the forest. Over time he learns to make beautiful music from the machine. Eventually his bear friends gather to hear him play and soon some humans discover his talent too. They persuade him to travel to the city where he becomes a famous and respected pianist. But are fame, fortune, and bright lights enough for the little bear from the forest?
Why we chose it
A beautifully illustrated book with pictures that bring the story vividly to life.
Where it came from
David Litchfield started drawing as a child, creating comics about Star Wars and Indiana Jones for his older siblings. He went on to become a professional illustrator, working from an attic in his Bedford home. The Bear and the Piano was his first author/illustrator picture book for children.
Where it went next
The Bear and the Piano has won several awards, including the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for Best Illustrated Book in 2016.
Associated stories
The Bear, the Piano, the Dog and the Fiddle was published as a sequel to the book in 2018
Author and Illustrator David Litchfield
First published 2015
Publisher Frances Lincoln, London, UK