Bear by Himself

A heart-warming picture book for kids ages 3-7 about a bear who finds pleasure in solitude and the great outdoors—from the creator of the Benny and Penny series.

The first reissue of Geoffrey Hayes’s classic children’s book in over two decades!

Bear by Himself is a sweet tale of the joys and rewards of solitude. In seven simple yet lyrical sentences, we follow Bear by himself from the country into town, from day to night, from adventure and contemplation to bedtime and dreamland. Through this journey, readers get to see how Bear’s senses are heightened and his imagination enriched by his ability to pause and enjoy the world around him.

First published by Harper & Row in 1976, this classic children's picture book was Geoffrey Hayes’s first. He went on to become a successful author, illustrator, and cartoonist, best known for his Benny and Penny series. NYRB Kids is excited to bring back this classic, long out of print, with Hayes’s original illustrations. Bear and his adventures provide a much-needed example of how to have fun by yourself and explore the wonderful world around you, lessons as timeless as Bear himself."A gentle ode to finding joy by yourself . . . Hayes beautifully captures light and shadow, like the warm glow emanating from a fireplace . . . Bear By Himself is a soft story that embraces solitude." —Youth Services Book ReviewGeoffrey Hayes (1947-2017) has written and illustrated over 40 children’s books, including the popular Otto & Uncle Tooth Mysteries (Step into Reading), the Patrick Bear books, and the Benny and Penny series. Geoffrey received the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for Benny and Penny in The Big No-No!