Description

The first book in the best-selling, award-winning ‘Bear and the Piano’ trilogy.

Winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, Illustrated Book Category for 2016.

Over 120,000 copies have been sold of The Bear and the Piano in the UK.

One day, a young bear stumbles upon something he has never seen before in the forest. As time passes, he teaches himself how to play the strange instrument, and eventually the beautiful sounds are heard by a father and son who are picnicking in the woods. The bear goes with them on an incredible journey to New York, where his piano playing makes him a huge star. He has fame, fortune and all the music in the world, but he misses the friends and family he has left behind. A moving tale of exploration and belonging from best-selling and critically acclaimed author David Litchfield.

The Sunday Times – ‘The influence of the great illustrators Jon Klasen and Shaun Tan are detectable in David Litchfield’s opulent The Bear and the Piano.’
The Guardian – ‘This book is full of breath-taking scenes, from the stunning forest to the rich New York skyline.’
Huffington Post – ‘A heart-warming and beautifully illustrated tale of music, friendship and adventure.’
The Daily Mail -‘A sumptuous treat… [Litchfield] weaves magic with light and space…The ending will have your heart soaring like a soprano’s top C.’
The Bookseller -‘One of the most impressive debuts of the autumn, this is a really stunning picture book with both critical and commercial appeal […] Distinctive, atmospheric and uplifting, it’s my picture book of the year.’

**Don’t miss David Litchfield’s other books:
The Bear and the Piano [1]
The Bear, the Piano, The Dog and the Fiddle [2]
The Bear, the Piano and Little Bear’s Concert [3]
Grandad’s Secret Giant
Lights on Cotton Rock

Publisher Review

"One of the most distinctive and original book debuts of the autumn." Selected as Children's Special in the Picture Book category. Selected for Top 10 Top Children's Books to Get Excited About (for Children's Book Week): "We love the distinctive art style and the charming concept! Within the book, lessons about exploration and belonging are learned." 'One of the most impressive debuts of the autumn, this is a really stunning picture book with both critical and commercial appeal. A bear stumbles upon a piano in the forest which takes him on the most incredible of journeys.' Selected as a Highlight of the Season in the Children's Autumn Buyer's Guide. "... His vivid, atmospheric scenes of forest and city are imagined on a vast scale, but there is an accessible warmth and humanity to them." Selected as Editor's Choice for the Picture Book Category in the Children's Previews. 'Positively gushing with Litchfield's exceptional use of light and texture and provides an overwhelming sense of atmosphere... Litchfield's distinctive style and rich illustrations provide the perfect accompaniment to this tale of tenacity, exploration and belonging. We can't wait to see how he follows what is destined to be a most successful debut.' 'A beautiful story about enduring friendship, accompanied by big, dramatic illustrations.' "EURO | His vivid, atmospheric scenes of forest and city are imagined on a vast scale, but there is an accessible warmth and humanity to them." Selected as Editor's Choice for the Picture Book Category in the Children's Previews. 'Positively gushing with Litchfield's exceptional use of light and texture and provides an overwhelming sense of atmosphere... Litchfield's distinctive style and rich illustrations provide the perfect accompaniment to this tale of tenacity, exploration and belonging. We can't wait to see how he follows what is destined to be a most successful debut.' 'A beautiful story about enduring friendship, accompanied by big, dramatic illustrations.'