The Biggest Bear – Lynd Ward (1952)
This beloved children’s picture book tells the story of Johnny Orchard, a young boy who, embarrassed that his family’s barn is the only one in the valley without a bearskin hanging on it, sets out to shoot the biggest bear in the forest. Instead, he befriends a playful bear cub that follows him home, leading to humorous and heartwarming chaos as the cub grows into an enormous, mischievous adult. Ward’s striking illustrations—created with his signature woodcut technique—bring warmth and humor to this tale of unexpected friendship and understanding.
If You Loved This, Try:
- Make Way for Ducklings (Robert McCloskey, 1941) – Another classic with timeless animal charm.
- Blueberries for Sal (McCloskey, 1948) – Gentle humor in human-wildlife encounters.
- The Story of Ferdinand (Munro Leaf, 1936) – A pacifist bull’s tale with similar themes.
