The Bear Ate Your Sandwich

By Julia Sarcone-Roach

A bear eats a sandwich and then runs away.

6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 4,205 ratings

32 pages· 412 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

$18.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

A bear wanders from the forest into the bustling city, stumbling upon an irresistible sandwich in the park. As he navigates this new world, filled with unexpected encounters and delightful mishaps, the tale unfolds with humor and charm. But is this whimsical journey as straightforward as it seems? With a twist that challenges the truth, readers are left questioning the bear's story. Dive into this captivating adventure and discover the secrets behind the missing sandwich, but beware—this might just be a tall tale!

From the publisher

Bear meets sandwich, adventure ensues. . . . A sly classic-in-the-making for fans of Jon Klassen, Peter Brown, and Mo Willems.

By now I think you know what happened to your sandwich.

But you may not know how it happened.

So let me tell you.

It all started with the bear . . .

So begins Julia Sarcone-Roach’s delicious tale of a bear, lost in the city, who happens upon an unattended sandwich in the park. The bear’s journey from forest to city and back home again is full of happy accidents, funny encounters, and sensory delights. The story is so engrossing, it’s not until the very end that we begin to suspect this is a TALL tale.

The wonderfully told story, spectacular illustrations, and surprise ending make this Julia Sarcone-Roach’s best book to date. You’ll want to share it with your friends (and keep a close eye on your lunch).

Awards

Ezra Jack Keats Honor (2016)

At a glance

Format
Pages: 32
Words: 412
Reading age: 3–7
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD490L

Themes & topics

Books about mischief Books about lying Books about bears Books about honesty Books about dogs

Inside the book

A peek between the covers

Illustration from The Bear Ate Your Sandwich

Good to know

Stories behind the story

What was the inspiration for The Bear Ate Your Sandwich?

Julia: One winter day I was walking from the subway to work. I was bundled up in a big winter coat, feeling like a burly bear. Moving along the crowded sidewalks, I felt both invisible and also like I was in everyone else’s way. As I bumbled along, I imagined a bright, bustling city street with a confused but curious bear in the middle of the sidewalk, completely unnoticed. At work I wondered about the bear. “What would the bear be doing in the city?” Then I began to do serious research. Walking to work, I would pretend I was a bear. “If I was a bear and could climb anywhere, where would I go? What would the sidewalk feel like under my paws?” I kept drawing the bear in the city and from there the story developed. The serious research went beyond pretending to be a bear. A lot of sandwiches were also eaten in the making of this book.

What do you hope young readers enjoy about The Bear Ate Your Sandwich?

Just like the Bear, I hope readers will enjoy every crumb of silly adventure, a little taste of mystery, and maybe come back for seconds!

What readers & critics say

Reviews

6.0

out of 7

6.0

“This delightful story is told in absolute opposition to Occam's razor. While the simplest explanation may be the most likely, it can't possibly be so entertaining. On pages drenched with color, we witness the bear's alleged antics; he has so much character and personality. Keep an eye open for the visual jokes. You will want to read this one again and again.”

Grammy

Trusted reviewer

For readers who can't stop at one