The Best Books About Bears, for Kids and Grown-Ups
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Bears have been stars of books for as long as there have been picture books. Here are some favorites, from read-aloud classics for little kids to true stories for grown-ups who want to know what real bears are like.
For little kids
**Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?** by Bill Martin Jr., illustrated by Eric Carle A rhythmic, repeating question-and-answer book with bright, colorful animals. Perfect for toddlers who love to "read" along.
**We're Going on a Bear Hunt** by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury A family sets out through grass, mud and a snowstorm to find a bear, and then they find one. Great for reading out loud with sound effects.
**Bear Snores On** by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman While a bear sleeps through the winter, other animals throw a party in his cave. A cozy book that pairs nicely with real facts about how bears spend the winter.
**Corduroy** by Don Freeman A toy bear in a department store goes looking for his missing button. A gentle classic about friendship.
**Blueberries for Sal** by Robert McCloskey A little girl and a bear cub, both out picking blueberries with their mothers, accidentally swap places. A classic from the 1940s.
Classic bear stories
**Winnie-the-Pooh** by A. A. Milne The original stories of the honey-loving bear and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. Fun fact: real bears are often more interested in the bee larvae than the honey. Read more in What Do Bears Eat?
**A Bear Called Paddington** by Michael Bond The first book about the polite bear from "darkest Peru" who arrives in London with a suitcase and a love of marmalade.
For older kids
**Ice Bear: In the Steps of the Polar Bear** by Nicola Davies A beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture book about polar bears and life on the Arctic ice. A great way to meet one of the 8 bear species.
For grown-ups
**Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance** by Stephen Herrero The classic study of bear attacks in North America by a bear biologist. It's serious reading, but if you hike in bear country, it explains why bears attack and how to avoid it.
**Grizzly Years** by Doug Peacock A memoir by a Vietnam veteran who spent years alone in grizzly country in the American West, watching and filming bears.
**A Walk in the Woods** by Bill Bryson A very funny account of trying to hike the Appalachian Trail. Bears are a constant worry, even if they rarely show up.
Pair a book with the real thing
Books are a great way to get kids curious. Afterward, you can explore real bear facts together:
- The 8 Bear Species of the World
- Black Bear vs. Grizzly: How to Tell Them Apart
- Our free bear myth or fact quiz
I've read most of these. I come off pretty well in all of them, except the one about attacks.