Bear Is Never Alone

by Marc Veerkamp, Jeska Verstegen (Illustrator), Laura Watkinson (Translator)

Overview

The Children’s Book Committee of Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year List - Under Five (2024)

The New York Times New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2023)

A stirring, thoughtful story about the pressure to perform and the support of a true friend.

When Bear sits down at the piano, he makes beautiful music, and the other animals can’t get enough. “More, more, Pianobear!” they shout. But sometimes Bear just wants to relax. Even when he tries to escape to a quiet tree branch, the voices follow him: “More! More! More!” Finally Bear snaps. No one seems to understand why he’s so upset—except Zebra. Zebra loves Bear’s music, but she doesn’t ask him to start playing again. Instead, she brings over a book…

This moving story is the perfect companion for social-emotional lessons about choosing solitude, respecting boundaries, and building interpersonal awareness. Illustrated in striking shades of black, white, and red, Bear Is Never Alone encourages young readers to notice others’ needs and care for them with kindness.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802856036
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	04/04/2023
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	40,487
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 10.80(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD460L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Marc Veerkamp is a Dutch scriptwriter, journalist, and children's author. He was a member of the writing team for Sesamstraat, the Dutch adaptation of Sesame Street, for almost two decades, and he has written scripts for multiple plays and animated films. Bear Is Never Alone is Marc's English-language debut.



Jeska Verstegen is the illustrator of over 100 books and the author of I'll Keep You Close (Levine Querido). Jeska and Marc developed Bear Is Never Alone in close collaboration, considering both words and art as they created Bear's story. Jeska lives in Amsterdam. Visit her website at jeskaverstegen.nl or follow her on Instagram @jeska_verstegen.


 
Laura Watkinson translates books for children and adults from Dutch, German, and Italian. Her translations have received numerous honors, including three Mildred L. Batchelder Awards and the Vondel Translation Prize. She is the founder of the Dutch chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SBCWI). Laura lives in Amsterdam. Visit her website at laurawatkinson.com.

Editorial Reviews

02/27/2023

Bear’s piano is in the middle of the forest, and animals throng to hear him play: “Everything in the forest is silent, except for the piano. Not even the birds are singing.” Foliage-strewn b&w spreads with splashes of red have a printmaking feel; Verstegen (I’ll Keep You Close) portrays dozens of expressive animal fans gathered around Bear, transfixed. But Bear is ready for a break. When he stops playing and closes the piano’s lid, his audience clamors for more, giving chase when he takes off running. In an exchange wittily rendered by translator Watkinson, they even heckle him: “Does Mr. Piano Bear think he’s too good for us now?” Pushed to the edge, Bear roars, terrifying them, and frightening himself, too. Only Zebra remains; unlike the others, who act as if Bear owes them music, Zebra—shown with typewritten stripes—thanks him and offers an exchange: reading him a story. Bear waves her off, until a sudden realization changes his mind. Although the tale’s conclusion feels a bit abrupt after its substantial emotional build, scriptwriter Veerkamp’s English-language debut conveys Bear’s overwhelming, urgent need for quiet, and his need to set fierce boundaries to get it. Introverts will recognize themselves in Bear’s experiences and warm to his solution: “Let’s be alone together.” Ages 4–8. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

Kirkus Reviews
“The real stars of the show are Verstegen’s stunning mixed-media illustrations. Almost wholly black and white, they’re shot through on occasion by a vibrant bolt of red, providing just the right measures of surreal extremes and quiet contemplation. . . . [Bear Is Never Alone] will find a happy home with solitude seekers.”

Publishers Weekly
“Veerkamp’s English-language debut conveys Bear’s overwhelming, urgent need for quiet, and his need to set fierce boundaries to get it. Introverts will recognize themselves in Bear’s experiences and warm to his solution: ‘Let’s be alone together.’”

Booklist
“Kids who feel put on the spot or overwhelmed are sure to find common ground with Bear, and they'll appreciate the relief Bear feels when he finally finds a peaceful moment and an understanding friend.”

The New York Times
“Across more than a dozen pages, [Verstegen] builds chaos via masterfully composed, rapidly paced spreads that depict the animals’ pursuit of Bear. This makes the story’s final act all the more satisfying, as we wind down to witness a friend’s reverent recognition that peace and quiet is sometimes the answer.

From the Publisher

2023-01-25
An ursine pianist flees fame and finds a friend.

This elegant Dutch import centers on Bear, a piano player capable of wowing hordes of forest denizens. Alas, when he attempts to stop, the other animals will not hear of it. They harangue him, hounding him with cries of “MORE!” Pushed past the breaking point, he roars at them until only a lone zebra remains, offering to read him a story to thank him for the beautiful music. Bear refuses, then immediately recants with a gentle “Let’s be alone together.” While this ending is a bit abrupt, it is entirely possible that parents or children seeking solitude from the relentless love of others will see a bit of themselves in Bear’s plight. The real stars of the show are Verstegen’s stunning mixed-media illustrations. Almost wholly black and white, they’re shot through on occasion by a vibrant bolt of red, providing just the right measures of surreal extremes and quiet contemplation. Consider pairing with another tale of tickling the ivories in the forest: David Litchfield’s The Bear and the Piano (2015). (This book was reviewed digitally.)

While cries for this one may not rival those of the protagonist’s fans, it will find a happy home with solitude seekers. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews