Don't Eat Eustace

by Lian Cho Narrated by Zeno Robinson

Overview

Author-illustrator Lian Cho of Oh, Olive! and Pig Town Party delivers her third hilarious picture book about a bear and the fish, named Eustace, that they're trying to make their lunch. But a dash of diversion, a pinch of luck, and the surprising power of friendship just might save Eustace after all!?

Today's Lunch Special: Freshly caught fish.

Bear lives alone in a lighthouse.

Bear mends their clothes, sweeps the floors, and catches their own lunch.

Today's lunch is Eustace.

Eustace would really like to live. (He has a girlfriend after all.)

Will Eustace be released back into the sea? Or will he end up in Bear's stock pot?

Find out in this funny adventure filled with brilliant illustrations and lots of humor.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

DON’T: eat Eustace. DO: curl up with some hot chocolate and enjoy another excellent picture book from Lian Cho.” — Adam Rex, author of The Story of Gumluck series

Via winning characterizations that pair well with offbeat, understated humor, Cho (Pig Town Party) will have readers falling hook, line, and sinker for this interspecies buddy comedy. — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Kirkus Reviews

2025-07-04
A luncheon morsel talks his way out of a hungry bear’s stomach—and into the animal’s heart.

A lighthouse keeper named Bear (who usesthey/them pronouns) adheres to a strict daily routine, which includes fishing for lunch. Today, they catch two things: a multicolored patchwork sail and a fish by the name of Eustace. Eustace repeatedly pleads not to be eaten (“I have a girlfriend waiting for me at home”), but every time he does, Bear offers empty reassurances (“I wouldnever”) while popping Eustace into a cooking pot or adding delicious-looking vegetables. The two are interrupted by a heron and a shark, both of whom need help that only the sail (and Bear’s sewing skills) can provide. When the sail is almost entirely used up, Eustace accepts his fate, but helping others has given Bear a sense of empathy that was previously lacking. Bear declares that dinner is tomato soup, and after seeing the heron and shark devouring other fish in the sea, Eustace decides that living with Bear is far preferable to returning to the ocean. Cho milks maximum hilarity out of the dichotomy between Bear’s words and actions (readers will put as much stock in Bear’s assurances as Eustace does). Panels outlined in rope amid gouache and colored pencil imbue the narrative with a nicely nautical feel.

A foe is tricked into friendship and everyone’s a winner in this fresh and funny tale.(Picture book. 3-6)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940194404032
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	10/14/2025
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	Up to 4 Years