“The world is big and there’s much to see, and a bear must go where she wants to be. And a bear as curious as me longs to gaze at the starlit sea!” A book-loving bear sets off to see the world. She takes one special thing—her Bear’s Big Book of Being Wise. But when she meets different creatures, each needing her help, she discovers that books aren’t just brilliant at fixing problems–they can also help you make new friends. And if you’re lucky, books can take you to a very special place indeed . . . “As if plucked from dreamscapes, the swirling paint illustrations of this picture book will sweep children away into a magical tale about the power of books.” -- ―Foreword Reviews , starred review “With its theme of the value of books, reading, and libraries, The Bear and Her Book is a thoroughly charming, fun and 'kid friendly' picture book that is an especially and unreservedly recommended pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections for children ages 4-8.” -- ―Midwest Book Review “Sure to become a storytime favorite in libraries.” —Children's Literature "[ The Bear and Her Book ] carries an underlying message that with books, you can go anywhere without leaving your home! Artwork is realistic and creative." — Story Monsters Ink 2024 Moonbeam Awards Silver Medalist (Picture Book – 4-8) The sweet, rhyming text and lush, vivid artwork affirm the magic and wonder of books. Frances Tosdevin has been writing picture books for several years and has books published with UCLan Publishing and Frances Lincoln Children's Books. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and her debut picture book, THE BEAR AND HER BOOK, won the 2022 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award for the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was also short-listed for the Stockport Children's Book Award and was named Children's Book of the Week by the Independent. Frances studied Archaeology/Anthropology and Classics at the University of Cambridge, and later worked as a journalist in Qatar and Hertfordshire before focusing full-time on family life. She is married with two daughters and five grandchildren who keep her busy reading stories and provide her with inspiration for new ones! Frances enjoys nature, gardening, and river walks, and is never happier than when wading through her local river with a small grandchild, discovering the wonders of this watery world. Sophia O'Connor is an illustrator living in the South East coast of Cornwall. She has been painting and making for as long as she can remember. A need to work with her hands alongside a love for storytelling led her to study Illustration & Animation at Kingston University, and she has been drawing away since graduating in 2012. Her illustrations are hand-drawn using mixed media such as ink, gouache, oil pastels, and more. She loves to experiment with mark making to create rich textures and atmospheric illustrations for children's picture books, surface design, reportage illustration, and more. She draws inspiration from many areas of life but is endlessly inspired by Cornwall's beautiful and vast landscapes. When she's not drawing, she can be found on nearby beaches with her canine friends.