The Bear and the Piano

Written & illustrated by David Litchfield

Part of the The Bear and the Piano series

A young bear discovers a mysterious object in the forest that changes his life forever.

5.1/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 4,329 ratings

40 pages· 641 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

$19.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

A bear cub stumbles upon a mysterious instrument in the forest, sparking a journey of musical discovery. As he masters the keys, his melodies enchant the woodland creatures. Invited to the city, he faces a choice: pursue his dreams or stay with his friends. Will he find harmony between ambition and loyalty, or will the call of adventure lead him away from home? This beautifully illustrated tale explores the balance between following one's dreams and cherishing the bonds of friendship.

From the publisher

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.

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 40
Words: 641
Reading age: 4–7
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD620L

Themes & topics

Books about music Books about friendship Books about performing arts Books about social themes Books about bears

What readers & critics say

Reviews

5.1

out of 7

4.8

“This is a sweet book with beautiful illustrations. The story is simple, but as a reader, you really care about the bear and are invested in its journey. As the mom of a child who plays an instrument, I wish there were more stories about learning to play music. In terms of lessons taught, this one hits a lot of high notes: learning to play well takes a lot of practice and hard work; playing music is inherently satisfying, regardless of your audience; and it's always a choice to play for others or just for yourself.”

Lauren Hancock

Trusted reviewer

For readers who can't stop at one