How to Catch a Bear Who Loves to Read

by Andrew Katz, Juliana Léveillé-Trudel, Joseph Sherman (Illustrator)

A tale of two book lovers and one unlikely friendship

Julia has many friends in the forest by her house. She climbs trees with Scotty the squirrel, plays hide-and-seek with Abigail the groundhog, and has farting contests with Frieda the skunk. Julia dreams of meeting a bear, a bear she could play with and hug. But no bear has ever shown its snout.

One day, inspired by a book she’s reading, Julia brings honey (the perfect bear snack) into the woods. The next day, she tries bringing blueberries. But to her great surprise, it’s not just sweet smells that can attract a bear!

So begins a thrilling quest that will bring Julia to new corners of the forest—and of her heart. Introducing a spunky young heroine with a nose for books, How to Catch a Bear Who Loves to Read invites children to share their love of reading—and of bearnormous hugs—with Julia.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 6, 2018

About the author

Andrew Katz is a bilingual children's author based in Montreal. ​His first picture book, co-written with Juliana Léveillé-Trudel and illustrated by Gemini Award-winning illustrator Joseph Sherman, was How to Catch a Bear Who Loves to Read, published simultaneously in French as Comment attraper un ours qui aime lire (2018). The debut was nominated for the 2020 Forest of Reading's Prix Peuplier. His second picture book, I Just Want To Be Super!, was also published in both English and French (Je suis Super Nino!) in 2020 and won the Independent Press Distinguished Favorites award.

Andrew's next picture book, the second book in the Julia and Bertrand series, was A Starlit Trip to the Library, or in French, Voyage de nuit à la bibli (September 2022). The book includes an original song written and composed by Andrew and performed by Taes Leavitt, aka “Boots”, from the two-time JUNO Award-winning children’s music duo SPLASH’N BOOTS. (The song can be found online here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c7rr... or or Spotify or iTunes by searching for the book title.)

Andrew has two upcoming picture books: an ecological fable titled Jackie's Drawing (in French, Le dessin de Charlie), out in May 2025, and the third book in the Julia and Bertrand series, Little Hearts in the Snow (in French, Petits coeurs sur la neige), set for release in October 2025.

When he isn't writing stories, Andrew teaches Children’s Literature and Creative Writing at Dawson College in Montreal. In 2013 he won his school’s Director General’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

Reviews

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this book for so many reasons.
The pictures are lovely and a really memorable thing for me is the smiley faces, all through the faces are happy, this gives a really happy jolly vibe from the start.
Reading this book was like a happy adventure!
The text was really descriptive and the language used perfect for children.

Farting contest!!!! this had me in stitches
"Sorry, Frieda, i can't fart right now. i'm looking for someone!"
This is a wonderful book that is great to read to kids of a wide age range.
Definately one i will be buying and enjoying reading over and over.
If i could give more than 5 stars i would!

[Ann Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired by the authors’ real-life friendship, this is a story of a little girl who lives in a little house in the forest who wants to meet a bear. With the help of her forest friends (a skunk, a squirrel and a groundhog), she goes on a quest (involving lots of exploring and tree-climbing) to find her bear and discovers him living in a treehouse. She also discovers that he, too loves to read. They share a good book, a bowl of blueberries and honey and at the end, a bear hug and a promise to read together again. The little girl, Julia, is determined and resourceful, who both inhabits her forest world and the world her books create for her. She reminded me of myself as a child when I would disappear into my room and create epic stories about all my animal friends. I also loved the idea of the bear who likes to scavenge at night in town—not for garbage but for books—at the library. The illustrations are vivid and beautifully evocative of the richness of a forest world and the creatures in it.
This is a sweet, funny and enjoyable book that should inspire kids to read, and to dream of the friendships that their storytelling can create.

[- The Polybrary - · Rating 5 out of 5]

~*Check out my blog, The Bent Bookworm!*~

A little girl who loves the woods, books, and animals? Yes please!

This was a super cute story about a little girl who wants nothing so much as to give a bear a hug. She has woodland animals friends that she can play with, but she just REALLY wants to meet that bear! She decides to try to catch one using whatever means she can think of, with little success. Then one day, she leaves her precious book in the forest...

I loved the bright cheerfulness of the illustrations in this book. They really made the woods come alive in the best possible way, and will hopefully encourage more children to think of the woods as happy, welcoming places, not a place to be feared.

Best line: "But she couldn't leave without her book..." And every booklover ever can relate.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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[Candice Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable read about a girl who loves reading and a bear who does too. The previous reviews say the mention of a young girl farting wasn't necessary and that leaving food out for a bear is dangerous. As educators and parents, it is our place to share fiction as well as non-fiction with our kids. Not only do girls fart, but one day a man will probably tell them not to and it is a parents' place to keep girls being kids for as long as they can. And if you think farting has no place in kids' literature or the classroom, then you've never been in one. The days are long and if we don't have humour to add a little sparkle to our lessons, then they are longer. Sure leaving food out for a bear is dangerous, but so is leaving out carrots for reindeer. We teach all our kids to do that! Of course there will always be folks who take stories too literally, but I hope future readers disregard their reviews. I really loved this book and I'll be requesting that my school order a couple copies.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, do I love “How to Catch a Bear Who Loves to Read.” It tells the tale of spirited Julia, who has many friends in the forest near her home ... Scotty the squirrel with whom she climbs trees, Abigail the groundhog who plays hide-and-seek with her — and even Frieda the skunk, with whom she has farting contests! 😀

But inspired by a book, she decides to bring honey to the woods to attract a bear, one she dreams of meeting and playing with and hugging. Don’t we all? 🐻❤️

But she learns that bears are not just drawn by sweet smells in this warm story about an adventurous little girl with a big heart who loves reading and bearnormous hugs! 5/5

Pub Date 06 Nov 2018

Thanks to Chouette Publishing and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.

#HowToCatchAbearWhoLovesToRead #NetGalley

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to comment on this book because it is so uniquely great. This is a young female protagonist who loves the outdoors and reading, a combination I don't often see in books for my kids, especially for my daughter. We live at a time when a girl like this is "quirky," but that says more about us than the character. Too many books have the kid characters "performing" our ideas about kids; this book treats the little girl as she is: adventurous, imaginative, curious, and funny, as well as a kindred spirit to animals. And the love of books and reading comes across throughout. It's an original and fun book about sharing the joy of reading with a new friend. My kids loved it.

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this picture book. The illustrations are just glorious.

When I read a book to my students I like for them to predict. So before reading, I’d ask them how would YOU catch a bear who loves to read, record the responses and revisit after reading.

I loved the vocabulary: absorbed in a book, Plunged back into the story, and Fortunate acquaintance this has been... I would nor stop to elaborate the terms as I read, but would go back after reading and say, what does absorbed mean and let them figure it out from the context.

The end with hugs is priceless.

What I really didn’t like was the use of the word fart. I felt there would have been a better term for children. But that’s one opinion. I wouldn’t throw out the baby with the bath water.

All in all, this is a really good book and the illustrations are completely engaging, especially the bear’s house in the tree. I’d like to find that house on VRBO. Smile

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Catch a Bear Who Loves to Read is a beautifully written story with a somewhat classic feel and gorgeous illustrations. The attention to detail in the prose and in the illustrations (especially the backgrounds) makes this book stand out. The lush, bright colours and ever-smiling characters set a joyful tone from beginning to end.

It clearly conveys the joys of reading while being set outdoors, which would make it a great companion for a trip at the cottage. The main character, Julia, is an independent and driven little girl.

All in all, this is a great book.

[Maranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little girl who loves to read wants a bear to hug. Enticements of Honey and Blueberries are used by this little girl Julia. When her book disappears she is given her dream of a Bear Hug. Delightful story for a young school age student. "A copy of this book was provided by Chouette Publishing
CrackBoom! Books via Netgalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion."

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet tale about inquisitive Julia and her quest to befriend a bear. This book would make a great read-aloud to children ages 3+, particularly before a nature walk or camping trip, or with those who appreciate jokes about flatulence (so, basically, every kid).

[Bog Spavins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me begin by stating that How to Catch a Bear Who Loves to Read is a wonderful book. The authors, Andrew Katz and Juliana Leveille-Trudel have produced a tale that sparkles with the innocence of childhood and the wonder of new discoveries and the importance of friendship. The main character, Julia, is an adventurous young girl who understands the importance of friendship and acceptance of others and their differences.

Painted in vivid, charming language, the text follows Julia's quest to catch a bear who loves to read. Joining Julia on her travels through the woods, always rooted to her forest home, the reader is introduced to a variety of Julia's wildness friends, with whom she engages in friendly banter as they help or hinder her in the search. Without giving away the ending, it must be said that the text affirms its dedication to friendship, understanding, sharing and tolerance for others.

No comment on this book would be complete without a word or two on the illustrations and design of the book. The layout of the text, in an easily digestible size, allows for an ease of reading suitable for a variety of ages. The illustrations, by Joseph Sherman compliment the story and help to bring it to life in a bright and agreeable manner, depicting Julia and her friends in a fashion that is entirely fitting with the spirit of the text

How to Catch a Bear Who Loves to Read is a book that will appeal to young readers, and also to adults who wish to revisit the lost innocence and charm of youth.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

No. No, no, no, no, no. Who thought this was a good idea? Honestly... This came out of a Canadian publisher, no less. I can't believe it.

Look, I'm fine with books about anthropomorphized bears. What I'm not okay with are books that show a realistic little girl living in a house in the woods trying to lure a bear with "bear snacks" (not little girls, in case you were wondering) so she can ride it like a raft down the river and give it hugs. Whoever thought this book was a good idea needs to be sat down and forced to watch Backcountry. Or told the story of Valérie Théorêt and her 10-month-old baby who were recently killed by a grizzly bear. Bears are not cute and cuddly creatures to be played with like pets. The line between fantasy and reality is way too blurred here (especially when the girl is trying to lure the bear with honey and blueberries).

Sorry, but I can't recommend this one at all. Even the farting skunk isn't enough to save this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and CrackBoom! Books for providing a digital ARC.

[Book Snuggery · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl Julia has animal friends throughout the forest where she lives, but none of the is a bear.
Julia decides she wants a bear as friend and sets out to get herself one.

In between farting contests with her skunk friend and reading books about bears Julia finds new tracks in the woods. After identifying the tracks as those of a bear and with the help of her friends, fueled by youthful curiosity Julia follows the tracks. Julia follows those bear tracks over the river and through the woods, up a tree and into a bear's house! A bear, his house and his books, Julia finds a bear friend that loves reading as much as she does and they bond over this shared passion

A short and sweet story about new friendship.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a practicing Child Psychiatrist and psychotherapist, I am always on the lookout for children's books which can be entertaining and helpful to the children and families with whom I work. "How to Catch a Bear Who Loves to Read" fulfills both criteria! It lovingly tells of the adventure of a young girl, friends with multiple forest animals, who seeks to find a bear. Without providing spoilers, there are several themes of note, including the gift of friendship, dealing with setbacks, and the power of adventure in capturing a young one's imagination, as well as the extolling of reading and the power books have to create bonds of affection and empathy, including for the natural world. Parents looking for stories with strong female characters will find this here! Highly recommended.

[Tara Weinstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an aunt to a five-year-old and a two-year-old who share bedtime reading, I'm constantly looking for books that will delight them both. This book, with its beautiful illustrations and a charming (and goofy in the best way) story, fits the bill. The story is funny, cute, and underscores the message that I'm always trying to give them—that reading is the best! Definitely looking forward to sharing this one with them.

[Dana-Adriana B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story about making new friends and read lovely stories together. I loved the pictures along with the story.

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids' reviews of How to Catch a Bear Who Loves to Read:
My eldest (10)- “I thought it was a pretty good book and super awesome for kids 8 and under. My favourite part was the part where Julia found the bear with her book and then when she gave him a hug. Good use of descriptive vocabulary.”
My middle one (7) loved the illustrations and all their detail and gave a HUGE smile when Julia asked for a hug. "I just liked the whole story. And I also like honey so that was cool and the farting contest was funny."
My youngest (5): "I liked listening to the book. I liked the part when they hugged."
And they all thought the humour was great.
I would definitely read this to my Kindergarten class and talk about how you never know what someone might like or be interested in until you ask them or get to know them.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this cute book about the love of reading. Julia lives in the forest and she wants to meet a bear. With the help of her forest friends (a skunk, a squirrel and a groundhog), she finally finds one, but they have a lot of fun and adventure prior to this. There is a farting contest, snacks of honey, blueberry picking, a stolen or missing book and following a trail of blue footprints until they find a little house in a tree, where the bear lives. She discovers that he loves to read and took her book because he found it abandoned. They share the story, hug it out and promise to read together again.

Julia, is determined and resourceful child, who loves living in the forest with her animal friends as well as loving to read. I loved the bear, who snuck into town and scavenged for books and that people in the town left them for him after they had read them. As a child, I loved to read and often read to my stuffed animals and dolls and that was what I was thinking of as I read this story. The illustrations are fun. They are colourful and vibrant, showing emotions on the faces of Julia and her animal friends. This is a cute, humorous, and enjoyable book that will hopefully inspire kids to read. A great book for a read aloud or independent reading in primary classrooms. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pictures are bright and colorful, but the story is rather blah, and odd.

First of all, you don't want to leave food out for animals, especially not for bears, as they will tear car doors off to get it. Second bears are not toys.

But, let us accept that all the animals talk, and are friendly, and I shouldn't read to much into this.

I think what the author is trying to say is that the little girl is looking for a friend to read books with. And I suppose this is a way to tell the story of finding a reading buddy, but it doesn't work for me.




I look at the little girl going to the bears house, to read with him, and I don't think, oh, Goldilocks or Oh, Winnine the Pooh, but rather, adult man with child. But, that is the mother in me.



Hard to recommend this, as I didn't especially like the story, or where it went. I find it odd that the child is hiding this friend from her mother. But, as I said, the colors of the illustrations are bright, and cheerful, and perhaps some child will relate to this story.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Julia lives next to the forest and befriended many of the animals, but there is one animal she really wants to meet--a bear. She tries to attract them, but efforts fail. One day while she is reading a book about a bear and surrounded by her forest friends, her mom calls her to lunch. When she returns, she finds her book gone with a trail of blueberry-covered footprints leaving the area. What will Julia find? This is a cute book which encourages reading. The illustrations, while not Caldecott-worthy, are colorful enough to keep non-reading children interested as an adult reads aloud. I spotted this in the "Read Now" section at NetGalley and downloaded it in exchange for an honest review.

[Etienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5. Funny cute story about friendship between a girl and a bear. Story of friendship bound b the love of reading, so book lover may enjoy! Nothing extraordinary but a good one!

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julia is very popular when it comes to forest friends. Scotty the squirrel loves to climb trees with her, Abigail the groundhog plays hide-in-seek with her, and she has farting contests with Freida the skunk. ( Kids will love that component I'm sure). There is one animal that Julia is longing to meet and that is a bear. She imagines the fun of getting a big old bear hug from a real live bear! Sounds like heaven.

Julia loves books and loves to read. One day while immersed in a book about bears she decides to bring a pot of honey into the woods to see if she can entice one to try a little sweet snack. Unfortunately that doesn't work but Scotty the squirrel loves it. The next day she leaves a basket of blueberries in plain sight hoping to lure one in. There that should do the trick she surmises.

On her return from lunch she discovers big, blue paw prints and that her book is gone! Oh my! Adventurous Julia follows the paw-print trail and what she discovers not only fulfills her dreams but leads her to a wonderful friend who loves books just as much as she does. She "bearly" can contain her happiness as her kindred spirit wraps her in a hug.

The illustrations are full of action, detail, fun and happiness. I love a book where the overall theme is the wonder and joy of "reading books." I highly recommend this book.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"How to Catch a Bear Who Loves to Read" is a book about Julia's (the main character's) wish to meet a bear. When I read the book with my six year old, whose eyes widened when the bear appeared, I realized that the story affirms the power of Julia's imagination. The plot, the writing and the illustrations all draw the reader into an enchanting place. (My six year old was totally absorbed in the rich detail of the images, pointing things out, asking questions, as if the forest were a real place.) Julia wishes the bear to life with the help of her love of reading, and encourages the reader's belief in the strength of the imagination to create adventure, comfort, love, and a safe place to explore the world.

This is a magical story that children will love about the importance of stories and readers.

[Amita2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curious and daring Julia tries everything to find a bear with the help of her forest friends– to no avail. But when the book she’s reading disappears, leaving only some blueberry paw prints in its wake, Julia embarks on a quest that will bring her to the heart of the mystery– and face to face with a surprising new friend!
“How to Catch a Bear Who Loves to Read” is a heartwarming story that celebrates adventurous girls and finding friendship in the most unexpected places. I was thrilled to discover this is a story of a girl who farts, a girl who climbs, a girl who leaps at the chance for adventure– a girl whose friends are forest creatures but who is bold and daring and perfectly able to go it alone. Beautifully written with stunning illustrations that capture the fun and wonder of the forest. READ THiS BOOK!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Catch a Bear Who Loves to Read by Andrew Katz is a delightful story of a little girl named Julia who with the help of her forest friends, skunk, groundhog and squirrel decides to find a bear just to give him a hug.

Inspired by the book she is reading she tries different things to make the bear come to her. Children will have to read this book to find out if Julia was successful in her quest.

I loved beautifully painted animals which complemented the story perfectly. It shows that forest animals are not to be feared but cherished. This sweet and heartfelt story which will encourage children to dream of unusual friendships and love their fellow creatures.

I especially liked how bear goes around looking for books to read and how both him and the girl share a passion for well told stories.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful descriptions, lovely scenery depiction throughout the book, and a great story from start to finish. A girl set out with a goal and ended up accomplishing it, and more! She wanted to meet a bear and discovered that she had more in common with the bear than she expected to! They enjoyed reading.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the tall tree and the house full of shelves and shelves of books.. it was great!

[Myriam St-Denis Lisée · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Livre lu en primeur avant sa parution en librairie*

Une petite fille intrépide aux amis poilus cherche à se faire un nouveau compagnon : un ours.
Elle essaie d'en attirer un à l'aide de différentes gâteries, mais aucun ours ne vient à sa rencontre.
Et puis un jour, son livre de lecture disparaît mystérieusement dans la forêt...

Des personnages attachants, une prose riche et dynamique, des dessins lumineux.
Une lecture touchante sur l'amitié, le courage et le bonheur de plonger son nez dans un livre.

[Gabrielle Blin ( book reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un livre super mignon,drôle et intelligent.Découvrez ma chronique ici: https://lectricecompulsive.blogspot.c... #CommentAttraperUnOursQuiAimeLire #NetGalleyFrance

[Mélanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story with great illustrations!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cute little story is about Julia and her animal friends and her love of reading.

She plays with Scotty the squirrel, Abigail the groundhog, and Frieda the skunk.

But that is not enough for her, Julia wants to meet a bear.
She leaves food out to entice him but that does not work.
Undaunted she tries other things but still no bear.

I won't spoil the story so to find out if she does find the bear, one will have to read the book.

The illustrations were bright and lovely, the story was quick and cute.

The ending was also sweet.

I recommend this book to children and anyone who wants a light hearted cute book about children and books and animal pals.

3.75 *****


My thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the complimentary e arc in exchange for an honest review.

review posted @ Netgalley, Goodreads, amazon and Wordpress.com.