Bear Feels Sad

Bear

by Karma Wilson, Jane Chapman (illustrator)

Bear has the lonely day blues waiting for his friends to have free time in this new picture book in the bestselling series.

Bear feels sad. All his friends are off being busy and he’s by himself. He can’t think of anything to do to cheer himself up. Even building a fort is no fun! But when he finds a beautiful field of flowers, Bear gets the perfect idea to turn his day gathering gifts to share with his friends when they get back!

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Storytime, Friendship, Childrens, Emotion, Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published May 6, 2025

About the author

Karma Wilson grew up an only child of a single mother in the wilds of North Idaho. Way back then (just past the stone age and somewhat before the era of computers) there was no cable TV and if there had been Karma could not have recieved it. TV reception was limited to 3 channels, of which one came in with some clarity. Karma did the only sensible thing a lonely little girl could do…she read or played outdoors.

Playing outdoors was fun, but reading was Karma’s “first love” and, by the age 11, she was devouring about a novel a day. She was even known to try to read while riding her bike down dirt roads, which she does not recommend as it is hazardous to the general well being of the bike, the rider, and more importantly the book. Her reading preferences were fantasy (C.S. Lewis, Terry Brooks, etc…) and historical fiction (L.M. Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder, etc…). Those tastes have not changed much.

Karma never considered writing as a profession because her mother was a professional writer which made it seem like mundane work. At the age of 27 she realized that she still loved well-written children’s books of all kinds, from picture books to young adult novels. By that time Karma was a wife and the mother of three young children. Trips to the library with her kids were a combination of emotions…a good book meant fun for all! But so many of the books weren’t what her children wanted to listen to.

Then a tax refund changed everything. With the money the family decided to invest in a computer. Karma was forced to learn to type. Combining her desire to make the expensive computer pay for itself, her new-found typing skill, and her love of children’s literature, Karma started writing for children. She wanted to put a few more good books on the library shelves and pay off that computer! Countless rejections and three years later Karma was finally accepted by book agent Steven Malk (who had already rejected her once, which she never lets him forget). Her first book, Bear Snores On, was released in 2002. The computer was paid for!

Since then Karma has had more than 30 books accepted for publication. Many of those are on the shelves of libraries and bookstores around the world. Her books have received numerous state and national awards, been translated into dozens of languages, and a few have made an appearance on the New York Times bestseller list. Karma sincerely hopes that her books bring joy to children and families everywhere.

Karma writes humorous, rhythmic picture books for the very young, and humorous and wistful poetry for the primary grades.

These days Karma lives with her handsome husband Scott, and her three not-so-young-anymore children, two dogs, two chickens and one cat on some modest but lovely acreage in NW Montana. Her hobbies include reading (of course), photography, baking, yoga, and a passion for Mixed Martial Arts.

Reviews

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not familiar with the series about bears by Karma Wilson. I love the story which is written in a rhyming fashion about a bear who is all alone because his friends are all busy. He walks around and tries to do different things, but finds that it’s not as much fun to be by himself. At the end of the story, his friends reappear, and they all share how they have spent their day.

[Liz]

Great end rhymes
The illustration of the bear feeling sad is priceless.
Bear is sad that his friends are all off on their own adventures. He tries to find ways to fill the time and make himself feel better. Coming upon a field of flowers, he decides to pick some for each of his friends. Arriving back at his blanket fort he finds his friend and they have all brought him gifts and bear feels glad.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed this series about Bear and his friends from the time I read Bear Snores On. This one follows in the form of the Bear books with a slightly rhyming text and a repeated refrain. In this title Bear is lonely and sad and yes flowers give him joy and he shares with his friends. A positive joy filled story. Jane Chapman’s acrylic illustrations are always beautiful.

[Thompson McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bear Feels Sad

by Karma Wilson

Illustrations by Jane Chapman

The Bear Books

Margaret K. McElderry Books

An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Divison

2025

40 pages

ISBN: 9781665936576

This charming story of a "woe is me" bear and his busy woodland friends is sure to strike a chord with children. Rhyming prose and beautiful illustrations capture a lonely bear in his "deep, dark lair," who sits wondering where all his pals are. Each scurrying and flying creature is busy foraging, gathering, fishing, digging, and cerebral raven is writing poetry, "and cannot be disturbed."

Bear tries hard to entertain himself. He builds a blanket fort, but it's no fun without friends to share. He goes and a long walk to pass the time and finds a beautiful field of flowers. Even sadder now since his friends can't see it, he decides to pick a flower for each of his friends.

Hurrying home, Bear discovers his fort is full of his friends who have come to visit and share their gifts. All the animals laugh and talk for hours, and Bear is happy.

Illustrations by Jane Chapman are colorful and gorgeous. Bear Feels Sad should be a frontrunner in any children's picture book award this year. Its positive message about friendship and sharing make this book a ten out of ten.

Highly recommended for every bookshelf. Ages 1 and up.

[Ina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of the Bear Books! There are wonderful characters, beautiful illustrations and wonderful bouncy text. This time Bear is sad and feeling lonely because his friends all have things to do. The emotions are so well illustrated- the reader really feels Bear's sadness. My story time audience could identify with Bear and his sadness was reflected in many of their faces. There is a joyous ending, and that was also reflected in the faces of my audience.

[Jena Benton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear is lonely. His friends are all busy today and he feels sad. Nothing he does cheers him up. Not even a trip to a sunny field of wild flowers. BUT in typical Bear fashion, he finds a way to sooth himself and when he returns ... well he finds a way to be happy. This is a perfect read aloud for the youngest of listeners, especially on a glum day.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear is sad. All of his friends are off doing other things and he is lonely. He tries a few things to cheer himself up but they don't really work. Until - he finds a field full of flowers and picks some for his friends. As he heads back home, he finds that he is not quite so sad. And when get gets home and finds all of his friends waiting for him -- he is glad!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too sentimental for me. Also he has tons of friends, so shouldn't complain. I think it's better that he learns a little self-reliance for when they happen to be doing other things for just part of one day.

But! Don't miss Raven's poem! It's not terrific, but it's fun... and just having a raven shown in a positive manner is wonderful!

[Indira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the rhymes and the beautiful illustrations (especially when Bear visits the field of flowers)!

[Tommy Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book. Read it with my partner at Barnes and Noble

[Mama Bearian · Rating 3 out of 5]

We LOVE the bear books, but this one was maybe our least favorite so far. The rhymes didn’t flow as nicely as usual. But the illustrations are gorgeous!

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another solid addition to the Bear series. I liked that the Bear was able to work through his feelings in a productive way.

[Coro · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet!!

[Kourtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this with my daughters and we loved it! Another great story about Bear and his friends! I cannot wait to add this whole collection to our shelves!

[Awjtf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to explain sadness to children.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as inspiration for writing children's books. The illustrations are so beautiful and the story is lovely!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Browsing books to give my friends' children as gifts since I won't gift anything I haven't first read myself.

Another excellent Bear book. Such a sweet way to help a young child identify and give context to a feeling like sadness. With its characteristic beautiful artwork and the comforting rhythm to it's rhyme pattern, Bear's friends show him love and care. This story is just plain beautiful. But it's Bear. Did I expect anything less?