
By Kate Hoefler
A girl and a bear find courage and friendship on a life-changing train ride.
Mae, a girl, and Bear, a bear, embark on a nerve-racking train journey that challenges their fears of being different. As they navigate the unknown, they discover courage, humor, and the warmth of unexpected friendship. Will they find that what's unfamiliar is more familiar than they think? Join Mae and Bear as they explore the beauty of diversity and the power of togetherness in this whimsical tale.
What if the Cowardly Lion took a leap of faith? A story of courage, determination, and a dash of friendship. Courage is something that comes from your heart. But if you can’t find it there, you can wear it on your head at first. Mae is a girl. Bear is a bear. But over the course of one life-changing, slightly nerve-racking train ride, they find out that this might be the only thing they don’t have in common. Kate Hoefler’s signature lyricism and Jessixa Bagley’s sweetly wry art combine for a gently whimsical, people (and bear) pleaser of a story about the fear of being different, the ways we overcome this fear, and the fact that often what’s different is a lot more familiar than we might think. With courage, determination, and a dash of friendship, Mae and Bear discover all the humor, warmth, and beauty found in togetherness and in the unknown. IMPORTANT THEMES: This sweet, moving story about new experiences is just right for kids facing the first day of school or a big move, but it’s also more broadly about the importance of courage, trying things that scare you, making new friends, the beauty and importance of diversity, and dealing with the feeling of being an outsider. TEACHES KINDNESS AND EMPATHY: This book emphasizes the importance of kindness, courage, empathy, and friendship. It’s a perfect classroom or library read-aloud, as kids will be excited to share their own experiences of trying new things and discussing things that scare them. BE BRAVE: It’s all too common for kids to feel like outsiders at school, at camp, or anywhere else. This book shows it’s okay to be different–and that trying new things is worth it, even when they seem scary or unfamiliar. SWEET ILLUSTRATIONS: Fall in love with these adorable characters, portrayed with humor and sweetness by illustrator Jessixa Bagley! Perfect for: - Parents and caregivers- Teachers and librarians- Anyone looking for an empathy read- Kids moving to new schools or houses- Parents encouraging kids to be brave in the face of new experiences- Fans of unlikely friendship stories
Surprise a reader with their next favorite book.
Spotted a mistake or something missing? Improve this page.
Are you the author or illustrator? Claim your book.