Bear in the Air

by Allison Wortche, Cat Min (illustrator)

Bear proudly soars above his friends in a hot air balloon... until he realizes he doesn't know how to land! This sweet picture book celebrates both independence and knowing when to ask for help.

Bear is on an adventure in a hot air balloon... all by himself!

As he flies proudly above his friends—Moose in the lake, his sisters in a tall tree—he feels independent and brave.

But, when he's ready to rejoin his friends on the ground, he realizes he has a he doesn't know how to get down!

Not all adventures go according to plan, and Bear will have to work up a different kind of courage to ask his friends for help. And of course they'll all join together to bring him home!

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Friendship, Transport, Adventure, Childrens, Storytime

32 pages, Library Binding

Published September 16, 2025

About the author

Allison Wortche is a fifteen-year veteran of the children's publishing industry. After graduating from the College of William and Mary, she edited books at Knopf BFYR/Penguin Random House. She now splits her time between writing and freelance editing.

Allison is the author of OLIVER'S LOLLIPOP, ROSIE SPROUT'S TIME TO SHINE, and the I LOVE SCIENCE board book series. To find out more, please visit her at https://www.allisonwortche.com and https://www.instagram.com/allisonwortche.

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bear is in the air but it looks like everybody else is having fun on the ground.
I loved the illustrations. The book is easy to read.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many of us have the same problem Bear does. We're possibly too independent or proud to ask for help. In this picture book Bear is thrilled to float high above everyone else in a hot air balloon. As he flies by, he turns down offers of cookies, a swim, a tree climb, and fun at the fair. But the truth is that he's in need of a helping hand or two because he doesn't know how to get back down to the ground. In desperation, he admits what he needs and calls out for help. And fortunately for him, there are plenty of folks around to help. The text is accessible, the plot simple but relatable, and the illustrations, created with watercolors, colored pencils, and Procreate, show the shift in his emotions over time.

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved everything about this animal-centric read. It follows our main character Bear who greets his wildlife friends when he floats by them on his hot air balloon. Each friend invites him to stop and participate in an activity with them. For example, the moose ask Bear if he would like to go swimming. He politely declines each offer before revealing to the reader that he does not know how to get down. Eventually all of his friends work together to rescue him and he thinks about what he’d like to do next while enjoying treats near the fire. I loved the storyline and the illustrations were beautiful. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soft, kawaii-style illustrations and simple text make this picture book a sweet treat. Bear is having fun, floating above all his animal friends, until he realizes he might need a little help (he doesn't know how to get down). His friends arrive and help him land safety, ending in a warm cozy marshmallows around the fire and musical gathering.

Themes: bears/animals; things that go/flight/transport; friendship; adventure
Ages: preK-1st grade
Pub year: 2025

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bear is thrilled to be flying across the sky in his hot air balloon. Initially he avoids the temptations of friends on the ground to come down but then discovers maybe he does want to come down but can't figure out how. Luckily his friends come up with a solution. Cat Min provides beautiful bold colorful illustrations to capture all the action on the ground and in the air.

[Morgan the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute one!

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fine, middle of the road sort of picture book. Nothing groundbreaking, but a fine story.

Themes: Flying, Bear, Asking for help, friends
age range: Toddler-Kindergarten

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute illustrations and fun story of Bear in hot air balloon having to ask for help and the other animals being so nice. Would consider buying.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything seems fine until the friends of Bear realize his trip in the air isn’t what it seems.