Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories - (Candlewick Sparks) by Jarvis (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"Blends warmth and cheeky humor. . . . Bear and Bird easily earn a place between Lobel's classic friends Frog and Toad and Clanton's loveable duo Narwhal and Jelly." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

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.

Review Quotes

Jarvis's digital drawings, in beautiful colors, have an attractive handmade feel.
--The New York Times Book Review

Four short, episodic stories about best buds Bear (a cuddly brown bear) and Bird (an adorable bluebird) make up this irresistibly funny beginning chapter book. . . Jarvis' soft, rounded illustrations are invitingly childlike, and they amplify a situation's humor or sweetness. . . . Readers will chuckle at the duo's well-intentioned mistakes and be utterly charmed by the genuine affection and kindness they display toward each other.
--Booklist (starred review)

This breezy easy reader follows pals Bird and Bear through several days of quotidian (mis)adventures, giving readers a playful, accessible entry into solo reading. . . . The narrator's wry voice blends warmth and cheeky humor . . . . Crayon-like textures and dappled colors set against sepia backgrounds create an old-fashioned coziness. . . Sweet but not saccharine, clever but not precious, Bear and Bird easily earn a place between Lobel's classic friends Frog and Toad and Clanton's loveable duo Narwhal and Jelly.
--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Bear and Bird are the best of friends. . . the pair navigates misunderstandings and hurt feelings, always managing to remember how much they value each other so they can turn a difficult situation into a happy one. . . . Jarvis skillfully writes about small adventures and emotional upheavals of childhood. With thick outlines, friendly curved shapes, and touches of humor, loose, cheerful digital illustrations on almost every page make the book approachable.
--The Horn Book

Jarvis (The Boy with Flowers in His Hair) creates two sweet-looking creatures--a brown bear with a round nose, and a small, blue bird with a feathery cowlick. . . the duo's charming exchanges will elicit giggles.
--Publishers Weekly

The book's digital illustrations exude amiability. . . entertaining.
--The Wall Street Journal

Jarvis' soft, fuzzy illustrations have an approachable hand-drawn look, just as his stories have an easygoing warmth. . . This genial easy-reader skips through minor mishaps and misunderstandings, picnics and paintings and cozy blankets, as Bear and Bird make it clear that the one thing they enjoy the most is their companionship.
--The Virginian Pilot

In four short stories that are vibrantly illustrated, funny misunderstandings lead readers/listeners to the solid conclusion that more than anything, both friends like to make each other happy.
--The Reading Eagle

When you've that child that's read all the Frog and Toads they could get their hands on, and they've long since left Elephant & Piggie behind, consider a final friendly pairing. Consider Bear and Bird and all their myriad adventures from the small to the slightly less small but always cozy. Raw charm on the page.
--A Fuse #8 Production

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.