- Contemporary
- Picture Books
- Ages 4–7
The shape of it
The shape of this universe.
The Bear and the Piano is David Litchfield's luminous picture-book trilogy about music, ambition, friendship, fame, jealousy and passing creativity between generations. The first book follows a bear who discovers a piano in the forest and becomes famous; the second shifts to a dog with a fiddle who struggles with being in the bear's shadow; the third turns towards Little Bear, legacy and the courage to perform. The books are quiet, beautiful and emotionally rich, with exceptional adult crossover appeal and strong read-aloud quality.
A beautiful picture-book trilogy about music, ambition, friendship, jealousy, family pride and finding the courage to perform.
Primary themes
Tone palette
- Warm
- Gentle
- Heartwarming
- Bittersweet
The series
One way in.
Cultural footprint
A shelf of evidence.
What The Bear and the Piano has done
- Major award winner
- Bestseller list
Cultural ubiquity
3/ 5Well-known to people who know the room.
Sensitivity
Low, and collection-wide.
Across the collection
All 3 books.
About the creator