Bear and Bird: The Stick and Other Stories

Is there ever such a thing as being too considerate? It’s another comedy of errors in this fourth set of stories featuring Jarvis’s lovable duo.


“Bird, why are you blowing in my face?” said Bear.
“I’m just stretching my cheeks,” said Bird. “Important to stretch your cheeks.”

Bear and Bird are the kind of friends who just want to make each other happy. So when Bird realizes Bear has had a leaf stuck to his face all day, she goes to comical extremes not to embarrass him—even if it means encouraging a new trend. And when they both grab the same excellent stick on a windy day, they outdo each other trying to give it back—until Bear comes up with a better use for their imagination. Whether following a hilariously—and touchingly—circular path on Swapsy Day or discovering there are as many times of day as there are things to do, Jarvis’s classic pair fuses humor and heart in another quartet of adventures.Adorable illustrations exude warmth, and delightful details add depth to the humorous text. A welcome return of the funniest forever friends.
—Booklist

This book is well suited for early readers stretching themselves to read longer titles, as well as for lap or co-reading. A gentle and wholesome title for growing early readers.
—School Library JournalJarvis is the author-illustrator of two previous chapter books about Bear and Bird, The Picnic and Other Stories and The Stars and Other Stories. He also created Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth; Tropical Terry; Follow Me, Flo!; and The Boy with Flowers in His Hair, among other picture books, and is the illustrator of Pick a Pine Tree, Pick a Pumpkin, and Pick a Perfect Egg, all by Patricia Toht, as well as Oh, Are You Awake? by Bob Shea. An animator who has worked as a record jacket designer and an animation director, he lives in Manchester, England.