The Bear and the Piano

Author(s): David Litchfield

Picture Books


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. This best-selling tale of exploration and belonging, which won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2016, Illustrated Book Category, is now available in board book.



Product Information

Shortlisted for Waterstones Children's Book Prize: Illustrated Books 2016.

'A beautiful story about enduring friendship, accompanied by big, dramatic illustrations.' -- Saffia Farr Juno '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.' Picture Book Blogger "One of the most distinctive and original book debuts of the autumn." Selected as Children's Special in the Picture Book category. -- Fiona Noble The Bookseller 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." The Reading Room '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. The Bookseller "... 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. -- Fiona Noble The Bookseller

DAVID LITCHFIELD first started to draw when he was very young, creating Star Wars and Indiana Jones 'mash up' comics for his older brother and sister. Since then David's work has appeared in magazines, newspapers, books and on T-shirts. He has also exhibited his illustrations in both solo and group shows in the U.K, Europe and America. The Bear and the Piano is his first picture book. David lives in Bedford with his family.

General Fields

  • : 9781847807182
  • : Quarto Publishing Group UK
  • : Quarto Publishing Group UK
  • : 0.23
  • : November 2015
  • : 300mm X 220mm
  • : United Kingdom
  • : May 2016
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : David Litchfield
  • : Paperback
  • : Apr-17
  • : English
  • : [E]
  • : From 4
  • : 40
  • : YBCS