Book Series · 11 Books

Moonbear Books

In order from Moonbear to Moonbear's Sunrise.

Frank Asch's quiet picture books follow Bear as curiosity about the moon and natural world turns into imaginative, reassuring adventures.

Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated

Moonbear
Happy Birthday, Moon
Mooncake
Moonbear's Skyfire
Moongame
Moonbear's Shadow
Moonbear's Bargain
Reading order

How to Read the Moonbear Books

The eleven stories are shown in publication order, beginning with Moonbear, Bear's first encounter with the moon. The books share a character and tone rather than a continuing plot, so any title can also stand alone.

Happy Birthday, Moon is often the best-known entry, but it is the second Moonbear story—not the beginning of a numbered sequence.

Sources: Simon & Schuster's Moonbear series, Official Moonbear product page.

For parents

What Parents Should Know

These are calm, spare stories for preschool and early-elementary read-alouds. Bear's misunderstandings about echoes, shadows, the moon, and weather invite curiosity without turning into lessons or tests.

Any worry or separation is brief and gentle. Nature, friendship, patience, and imaginative problem-solving matter more than conflict, and there is no ongoing danger or villain.

Where the story begins

First Book in the Series

Moonbear
Sale price
$1697
Book #1 · Picture Book · 1978

Moonbear

Bear fears the moon is vanishing. Can he save it?

32 pages
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Bear gazes at the moon, captivated by its glow. But as it starts to shrink, panic sets in. Can Bear prevent the moon from disappearing forever? A tale of wonder and determination unfolds under the night sky.
In reading order

Moonbear Series

11 books · Published 1978–2014

#1
Sale price
$1697

Moonbear

Picture Book · 1978

Bear fears the moon is vanishing. Can he save it?

#3
Sale price
$858

Mooncake

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1983

A bear's curiosity leads to a moonlit adventure.

#5
Sale price
$858

Moongame

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1984

A bear fears the moon is lost forever after a game of hide-and-seek.

#6
Sale price
$958

Moonbear's Shadow

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1985

Bear battles his shadow to catch fish, but can he truly escape it?

#7
Sale price
$1899

Moonbear's Bargain

Picture Book · Ages 2–5 · 1985

Can a bear learn to fly and a bird become strong? A whimsical trade unfolds.

#8
Sale price
$858

Moondance

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1993

Can Bear's dream of dancing with the moon come true?

#9
Sale price
$858

Moonbear's Pet

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1997

A pet fish grows wings or paws, sparking a friendly debate. What will it become?

Good to know

Common Questions

How many books are in the Moonbear series?

There are 11 books in the Moonbear series. It began with Moonbear in 1978, and the newest book, Moonbear's Sunrise, was published in 2014.

What order should you read the Moonbear books in?

Start with Moonbear and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #11.

What ages are the Moonbear books best for?

The series is best for ages 2–8, based on the age ranges of the individual books.

The people

The Creative Behind the Books

The people who bring Moonbear to life.

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