One summer Little Bear makes friends with a girl named Emily and her doll Lucy. But when summer ends, Emily must leave. Little Bear is sad until he finds a way to stay close to his new friend even when she is far away.

Little Bear’s Friend is among the beloved classic Little Bear books from Else Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak.

The first, Little Bear, launched the I Can Read early reader series in 1957.

In the Little Bear stories, we meet Little Bear, whose adventures are filled with humor and joy. And we meet Mother Bear, who is there whenever Little Bear needs her. When it is cold and snowy outside, she finds just the right outfit for Little Bear to play in.

When he goes to the moon, she has a hot lunch waiting for him on his return. And, of course, she never forgets his birthday.

This Level One I Can Read is full of warm and lovingly playful stories that are perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences. Whether shared at home or in a classroom, the short sentences, familiar words, and simple concepts of Level One books support success for children eager to start reading on their own.

Little Bear, his family, and his friends have taken their places beside such other beloved animals of fiction as Winnie-the-Pooh, Peter Rabbit, and Mole. Beginning readers will enjoy reading about the adventures of Little Bear as he goes fishing, gets the hiccups, looks for a mermaid, and welcomes Father Bear home from the sea.

The popularity of Else Holmelund Minarik’s I Can Read Books about Little Bear has continued across generations.

These timeless classics feature beautiful, detailed illustrations from Maurice Sendak, the Caldecott Medal-winning creator of Where the Wild Things Are.

With short chapters and sweet, appealing stories, the Little Bear stories work well for lap reading or in a classroom or library setting. And Father Bear Comes Home is especially nice for dads and kids to share together, on Father’s Day or any day.