July 2023 Picture Book Selection | First Editions Club

New York, NY: Flamingo Books | Penguin Random House (July 18, 2023)

First Edition. Signed on bookplate by Ellen Ramsey.

New in dust jacket.

In this charming and heartfelt story, a book-loving bear and a book-loving girl hatch a plan to find the perfect book for them to read together.

Bear loves books. When Bear decides he wants a book of his very own, he and his best friend, Ellen, hatch a plan. But sneaking a bear into school, a library, and a bookstore proves to be harder than they thought. Will Bear ever find a book of his very own?

With charming and timeless words from debut author Ellen L. Ramsey and brought to life by MacKenzie Haley, illustrator of Dolly Parton's Billy the Kid Makes it Big, this is an endearing story of a determined young bear and his journey to find the perfect book.

Praise for A Book for Bear:

"Adults sharing the book should encourage children to write and illustrate and, if possible, read their own books. A pleasant story about books and reading to share with kids and bears."--Kirkus reviews

Ellen Ramsey's love of reading and writing led her to careers as a teacher, a technical editor, and an author of stories for children. Her work has appeared in Highlights, Spider, Ladybug, Muse, and Fun for Kidz. One of her poems, published in Highlights High Five, won an SCBWI Magazine Merit Award for Poetry. Unlike Bear, she has never disguised herself as a furry giant, but she has dressed up as a bear. She lives with her husband and a collection of furry teddy bears in a friendly home in Pennsylvania. You can visit Ellen L. Ramsey online at EllenLRamsey.com .

MacKenzie Haley is an award-winning illustrator of several children’s books. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her two cats, Booger and Abby. Thanks to her parents, she has been an avid reader since she was very young, and can absolutely understand Bear’s love for books. She’s lucky enough now to be able to create more picture books for future readers to fall in love with. You can visit MacKenzie Haley online at MacKenzieHaley.com