The Bear and the Piano

by David Litchfield, David Litchfield (Illustrator)

Overview

One day, a bear cub finds something strange and wonderful in the forest. When he touches the keys, they make a horrible noise. Yet he is drawn back again and again. Eventually, he learns to play beautiful sounds, delighting his woodland friends.           
     Then the bear is invited to share his sounds with new friends in the city. He longs to explore the world beyond his home, and to play bigger and better than before. But he knows that if he leaves, the other bears will be very sad . . .      
     This gorgeously illustrated tale of following one’s dreams reminds us of the value of friendship, wherever we go.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780544674547
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	04/05/2016
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 11.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD620L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

David Litchfield is the creator of the award-winning The Bear and the Piano and its companion, The Bear, the Piano, the Dog, and the Fiddle. He is also the illustrator of Miss Muffet, Or what Came After by Marilyn Singer and many other picture books. He lives with his family in Bedfordshire in the United Kingdom. www.davidlitchfieldillustration.com, Twitter: @dc_litchfield, Instagram: @david_c_litchfield.

David Litchfield is the creator of the award-winning The Bear and the Piano and its companion, The Bear, the Piano, the Dog, and the Fiddle. He is also the illustrator of Miss Muffet, Or what Came After by Marilyn Singer and many other picture books. He lives with his family in Bedfordshire in the United Kingdom. www.davidlitchfieldillustration.com, Twitter: @dc_litchfield, Instagram: @david_c_litchfield.

Editorial Reviews

★ 02/01/2016
After finding a piano in the woods, a brown bear teaches himself to play (even though he doesn’t know what it is, exactly), going on to wow his fellow bears and, later, the world. Newcomer Litchfield explores the life of a musician from several angles: the necessity of practice (after “days and weeks and months of years” of playing, “the sounds that came from the strange thing were beautiful”), the allure of fame, and the loneliness of leaving home, even when one’s name and face are plastered across Broadway. The bear achieves stratospheric success (platinum records, sold-out shows), and after he returns to his forest (still wearing a rumpled tuxedo), he discovers that his brethren have been proudly following his career, not resenting his absence. Litchfield’s multilayered mixed-media illustrations gracefully portray dappled forest groves, the energy of a packed concert hall, and the simultaneous bustle and solitude of city life. The bear’s emotions—contentment, pride, uncertainty, relief—are captured with equal skill in a tenderly moving story about embracing one’s potential while remembering one’s roots. Ages 4–7. Agent: Anne Moore Armstrong, Bright Group. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"Litchfield’s multilayered mixed-media illustrations gracefully portray dappled forest groves, the energy of a packed concert hall, and the simultaneous bustle and solitude of city life. The bear’s emotions—contentment, pride, uncertainty, relief—are captured with equal skill in a tenderly moving story about embracing one’s potential while remembering one’s roots." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"This is one of those rare books that children can return to again and again through the years, each time finding new meaning appropriate to their varying ages and stages...Litchfield's poignant debut picture book celebrates both the wonders of wandering far in pursuit of one's dreams and the sweet comfort of returning home." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Litchfield’s debut picture book is a visual feast. Using a variety of different techniques and then digitally assembling them, he has produced a story filled with verdant and luminous images that create an enchanting atmosphere." — School Library Journal

All the Wonders, Best of 2016 Picture Books  Amazon Overall Top 20 Children’s Books of 2016  Amazon, Best Children’s Books of the Year Ages 3 to 5  Kirkus Best of 2016  School Library Journal’s Fuse#8 Best of 2016   —

From the Publisher

03/01/2016
PreS-Gr 2—A young bear finds a piano in the middle of the forest and begins to play. Initially turned off by the awful sound, he leaves but soon returns to try again. The bear continues to practice for years and years until he can play like a virtuoso. Not only does his playing give him immense pleasure but the other bears are enchanted as well. When a boy and a girl discover the bear's amazing talent, they convince him to move to the city. Sad to leave his friends but excited to explore another world, he ventures forth and becomes a sensation. After much fame and accolades, the bear realizes that he misses his friends and decides to return home. He is heartsick when he can't find his piano in the woods and assumes they have all forgotten him. Happiness is restored when he learns his friends have kept the piano in the shade to protect it and were eagerly awaiting his return. Litchfield's debut picture book is a visual feast. Using a variety of different techniques and then digitally assembling them, he has produced a story filled with verdant and luminous images that create an enchanting atmosphere. The story encourages young ones to follow their dreams and pursue their unique talents. VERDICT A wonderful addition for all collections.—Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, St. Joseph, MI

School Library Journal

★ 2016-01-20
In the forest, a little bear discovers an object he's never seen before—a piano. At first the cub isn't sure about the strange device, but over time he comes to love the instrument and the music. The other animals in the bear's forest home delight in his talent, but he dreams of bigger things. When the opportunity comes to play in the city, it's a hard decision, but off he goes, and stardom awaits. The bear becomes famous beyond his wildest dreams. He finds great success, but eventually he comes to miss his home. He returns, nervous that his friends may be angry with him for leaving, but instead he finds the entire forest beaming with pride for all he has accomplished. This is one of those rare books that children can return to again and again through the years, each time finding new meaning appropriate to their varying ages and stages. In the emotive, whimsical illustrations readers will sense the bear's hesitation to leave the forest, his exaltation at playing in grand concert halls, and his longing to return home. The forest seems to sparkle on the page when the bear returns to play for his friends once more. Litchfield's poignant debut picture book celebrates both the wonders of wandering far in pursuit of one's dreams and the sweet comfort of returning home. (Picture book. 4-9)

Kirkus Reviews