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Bear
Bear's New Friend
Bear is going to the swimming hole, but first he must find his friends.
There's a clatter in the tree! Is it Mouse? No . . .
"Who?" calls Bear.
Something quickly scampers by! Is it Hare? No . . .
"Who?" calls Bear.
Someone seems to be hiding from Bear and his friends. Who is it? WHO?
How Bear and his forest friends discover a NEW FRIEND will enchant young readers. Karma Wilson's playful text and Jane Chapman's radiant illustrations make Bear's New Friend a perfect summertime read-aloud companion to the bestselling Bear Snores On .
There's a clatter in the tree! Is it Mouse? No . . .
"Who?" calls Bear.
Something quickly scampers by! Is it Hare? No . . .
"Who?" calls Bear.
Someone seems to be hiding from Bear and his friends. Who is it? WHO?
How Bear and his forest friends discover a NEW FRIEND will enchant young readers. Karma Wilson's playful text and Jane Chapman's radiant illustrations make Bear's New Friend a perfect summertime read-aloud companion to the bestselling Bear Snores On .
40 pages, Hardcover
Published April 1, 2006
13 people are currently reading
685 people want to read
About the author
Karma Wilson
106 books523 followersKarma 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews
October 7, 2017
Bear is out one summer day and hears a sound. He is sure that it is one of his friends, but slowly sees each one emerge, but the sounds continue. When Bear calls out to see who might be lurking in the trees or down a hole, he learns this mystery person is shy and somewhat bashful. When finally the animal makes an appearance, Bear and his friends welcome their new companion to join them down by the water. Neo likes to make friends and can only hope that he will be as nice when a new friend crosses his path.
July 5, 2013
There is something quite wonderful about Karma Wilson's "Bear" books. I never tire of reading them and I always look forward to the new ones. In fact, I remember when this book was first added to our library collection. Another children's librarian and I nearly arm-wrestled to determine who would read it first for Story Time.
Karma Wilson's "Bear" books, besides being entertaining reading, would make an excellent study on how to write a children's book in verse. Her rhymes are not forced and her meter feels natural. The story she tells would be just as strong without the verse, but the rhyming scheme does make her writing all the more memorable. Because this is a "Bear" book, there is a little suspense and a happy resolution.
I love the way Jane Chapman illustrates the Bear and his friends. Bear looks like a bear, Badger like a badger, Mole like a mole, and so on, but there is so much personality and expression in the animals you can tell what they are thinking even without the text. This is a wonderful quality in children's books for transitional readers like my four-year-old son. He can tell me the story based on the illustrations that is not so very different from the printed one.
Karma Wilson's "Bear" books, besides being entertaining reading, would make an excellent study on how to write a children's book in verse. Her rhymes are not forced and her meter feels natural. The story she tells would be just as strong without the verse, but the rhyming scheme does make her writing all the more memorable. Because this is a "Bear" book, there is a little suspense and a happy resolution.
I love the way Jane Chapman illustrates the Bear and his friends. Bear looks like a bear, Badger like a badger, Mole like a mole, and so on, but there is so much personality and expression in the animals you can tell what they are thinking even without the text. This is a wonderful quality in children's books for transitional readers like my four-year-old son. He can tell me the story based on the illustrations that is not so very different from the printed one.
November 16, 2020
It's a really nice book because it says how friends can be a little shy at first, but they can get out and have some fun with people.
December 10, 2017
Most of this book is just the bear and his friends trying to figure out who is in the hole. It doesn't actually introduce a new character in my opinion. They don't talk about the owl's interests or home or food or anything you might expect when making a new friend; it's just "hi, want to join us in the activity we already planned?" Also, why is the owl in a hole in the ground? Why is it up during the day? I actually looked up owls because this part didn't make sense to me and I'm guessing it is a Burrowing Owl. It would've been nice to include that in the story.
August 26, 2017
We love Bear books. The illustrations are just delightful!
April 14, 2017
Another good Bear book with the same great descriptions as "Bear Snores On." To me, these books are basically interchangeable, but each one makes use of a different color scheme.
April 24, 2018
i like this book because this book is talking about how a bear and his forest friends are going to find new friend and will catch young reader attention what bear will find next. I think young children would respond is bear finding a new friend at the end . When I read this book to young children,I will ask question like this what do you see on picture. Is there has mouse on the picture.
July 8, 2022
Cute, like all of Karma Wilson's Bear books, but it's not on the same level as Bear Snores On. Maybe because that was my introduction to the series, and the text still struck me as new and fresh? Having read a few of these by now, I can't help being a bit bored by the predictable rhyme scheme. (To be clear: it's not predictable if you read one of these books as a standalone.) I also feel like Bear Snores On had more plot than this one.
Of course, Jane Chapman's illustrations are perfect as always. So much befuddlement in this book! The picture of Mouse looking up into the tree is sheer cute overload. All the pictures are bright and happy. The animals are adorable, with expressive faces and body language. The sun-splashed forest is gorgeous and inviting.
A friendly, beautiful, and relatively uneventful book for little kids (I'd say 5 years and younger). It's not a particularly memorable story, but the book for sure will leave everyone feeling happy and cozy. Sometimes that is exactly what is needed!
Of course, Jane Chapman's illustrations are perfect as always. So much befuddlement in this book! The picture of Mouse looking up into the tree is sheer cute overload. All the pictures are bright and happy. The animals are adorable, with expressive faces and body language. The sun-splashed forest is gorgeous and inviting.
A friendly, beautiful, and relatively uneventful book for little kids (I'd say 5 years and younger). It's not a particularly memorable story, but the book for sure will leave everyone feeling happy and cozy. Sometimes that is exactly what is needed!
August 15, 2017
Bear hears a noise up in a tree and wonders who's making it. He guesses all sorts of animal friends, but as soon as he guesses them--they show up! Eventually, they all meet the new animal (an owl) and go for a swim.
Good for toddler or preschool storytimes.
Good for toddler or preschool storytimes.
May 14, 2022
Another very cute book for kids. :)
January 23, 2019
Cute! Would work in storytime.
March 19, 2021
عنوان ترجمهٔ فارسی: خرسی و یه دوست جدید
January 2, 2023
I struggled to finish reading this one to my daughter. Neither of us enjoyed the story. Too repetitive and the rhyming wasn't consistent.
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October 16, 2019Summary:
The story of Bear’s New Friend, is about a large grizzly bear, who is on a search for his best friend, Mouse. However, he is startled and taken back by some noise that appears to be coming from a nearby tree. Bear is determined to find out who is making the noise, and sets out on a journey to discover who he continues to hear make the clatter. Bear picks up each of his fellow friends along the way, assuming it may be them making the noise, but it is not. Bear discovers that the noise is coming from a shy owl, and in the end they decide to become new friends!
Evaluation:
I found this particular story to be well illustrated and followed a nice sequence of events. I feel as if young elementary school readers could follow along with the plot of the story, and enjoy the images of all the curious little animals. The story displays the general theme of friendship and has a heart warming ending, when bear meets a new friend. I found this story to be perfect for a Kindergarten or First grade classroom, especially in terms of teaching character, setting, beginning, middle, and end. Students could also compare other stories that go along with this series of books, and compare the setting and characters between the two.
Teaching Idea:
A lesson that could be taught through the use of this specific story, is teaching students to note the characters, setting, beginning, middle, and end of a story. Students could be given an interactive read-aloud of the story, as the instructor allows students to predict what characters may be in the story, as well as where the story takes place, simply by looking at the cover for visual clues. Students could sequence the story in a graphic organizer, by acknowledging what occurs during the beginning, middle, and end of the story. In particular, this story has a simple story line and will be a perfect match for young writers to begin writing about what they could recall happening within a story. This specific activity will test students’ reading comprehension, as well as their ability to correctly sequence events within a story.
October 16, 2022
The plot of the story is that Bear heard a sound and thought it was one of his friends. However, all his friends were around, so he became confused and curious to know who was talking to him. Then towards the end of the story a timid voice says hello to Bear and his friends. The voice came from a shy owl who wanted to be friends with Bear and the other animals. Bear is the main character of the story and the other animals are his friends. Bear is outgoing, friendly, popular and well-known, whereas Owl is shy, timid, and sweet. The. illustrations were saturated and were not overwhelming to view from a readers perspective. The pictures complimented the text and went across both pages to create one image. The text that was used was rhyming words that complimented the sentence prior. I like that the books has a message of friendship and portrays a shy character that many children can relate too. The rhyming in the book is good for younger elementary grades when teaching them about words that rhyme. In addition, I would use this book to teach my younger students about sentence structure and listening to the words.
August 8, 2025
Summary (if you care about spoilers for children's books, skip to the next section)
Bear wants to go out and play on this nice sunny day. He goes out looking for his friend Mouse. He hears a rustle in trees and thinks he's found him, but it turns out Mouse is coming down the path towards him. They both look in the tree but it's empty now. Hare comes and says someone ran by him. They follow and find Gopher, Mole, and Badger looking down a hole in the ground. Someone is hiding there. Apparently they're quite shy. Raven and Wren also show up and all the friends get the stranger to come out and play with them in the water. It's an owl and they all have great fun together.
Illustrations
Jane Chapman's illustrations are my favourite thing about this series.
Fun factor
More aww than haha
Is it supposed to teach children something?
Welcome new friends and try to overcome your shyness and give friendship a chance to bloom.
Bottom line
Enjoyable.
Bear wants to go out and play on this nice sunny day. He goes out looking for his friend Mouse. He hears a rustle in trees and thinks he's found him, but it turns out Mouse is coming down the path towards him. They both look in the tree but it's empty now. Hare comes and says someone ran by him. They follow and find Gopher, Mole, and Badger looking down a hole in the ground. Someone is hiding there. Apparently they're quite shy. Raven and Wren also show up and all the friends get the stranger to come out and play with them in the water. It's an owl and they all have great fun together.
Illustrations
Jane Chapman's illustrations are my favourite thing about this series.
Fun factor
More aww than haha
Is it supposed to teach children something?
Welcome new friends and try to overcome your shyness and give friendship a chance to bloom.
Bottom line
Enjoyable.
January 21, 2020
I enjoy the Bear books. The pictures are adorable (so many fun faces on all the animals, so expressive) and the rhymes always read well, not sing-songy. This one focuses on Bear catching glimpses of someone in the woods, but being unable to find out who it is. After finding all his other friends are already accounted for, they realize that this is a new friend, someone who is rather shy.
From a science nerd POV, I know that there are Burrowing Owls, so Owl being in a hole in the ground isn't weird. However, it could have been fun to mention that.
This is a good storytime read about friends. Not everyone is fearless and outgoing, so it's a great chance to talk about being shy or being polite with new people and recognizing that not everyone makes friends in the same way. Plus, with all the "who/hoo" repetition, it makes for a good interactive story too.
From a science nerd POV, I know that there are Burrowing Owls, so Owl being in a hole in the ground isn't weird. However, it could have been fun to mention that.
This is a good storytime read about friends. Not everyone is fearless and outgoing, so it's a great chance to talk about being shy or being polite with new people and recognizing that not everyone makes friends in the same way. Plus, with all the "who/hoo" repetition, it makes for a good interactive story too.
March 21, 2018
Kalle-karhu ystävineen ihmettelee metsän uutta asukasta, joka on ilmeisesti kovin ujo. Ensiksi kaikkia hieman jännittää ja mietityttää, minkälainen tyyppi onkaan kyseessä. Onneksi kaikki kääntyy kuitenkin parhain päin.
Jane Chapmanin kuvitus on kerrassaan henkeäsalpaavaa. Useamman aukeaman kuvituksen huolisin mikä hetki vain lastenhuoneen (tai työpaikan) seiniä koristamaan taulun muodossa. Kalle-karhun jouluyö -kirja on meille jo entuudestaan tuttu, joten oli mukava huomata kirjaston valikoimassa toinenkin Kalle-karhun seikkailuista kertova kirja. Lapset pitivät tutuista eläinhahmoista ja kirjassa oli riittävästi jännittäviä elementtejä.
Jane Chapmanin kuvitus on kerrassaan henkeäsalpaavaa. Useamman aukeaman kuvituksen huolisin mikä hetki vain lastenhuoneen (tai työpaikan) seiniä koristamaan taulun muodossa. Kalle-karhun jouluyö -kirja on meille jo entuudestaan tuttu, joten oli mukava huomata kirjaston valikoimassa toinenkin Kalle-karhun seikkailuista kertova kirja. Lapset pitivät tutuista eläinhahmoista ja kirjassa oli riittävästi jännittäviä elementtejä.
September 26, 2019
A beautiful gentle story about forming a friendship.
Talking Points: Owl apologizes for hiding and says he was bashful. Should we apologize for how we are if we have not done anything wrong? When have you been bashful? Are you usually bashful or brave? It takes a lot of coaxing for owl to come out. Has anyone ever been persistent about pursuing a friendship with you? Have you ever been persistent about pursuing a friendship with others? Who are your best friends?
Essential Oil Pairing Tip: doTERRA's Brave is the perfect oil for this book. Forming friendships takes courage on everyone's part.
Talking Points: Owl apologizes for hiding and says he was bashful. Should we apologize for how we are if we have not done anything wrong? When have you been bashful? Are you usually bashful or brave? It takes a lot of coaxing for owl to come out. Has anyone ever been persistent about pursuing a friendship with you? Have you ever been persistent about pursuing a friendship with others? Who are your best friends?
Essential Oil Pairing Tip: doTERRA's Brave is the perfect oil for this book. Forming friendships takes courage on everyone's part.
April 16, 2020
Bear's New Friend is a cute book where Bear and his friends are trying to find their new friend. They search and search to find their new friend. They finally find a hole in the ground but their new friend does not wanna come out. Finally Bear asks why? He doesn't wanna come out. They finally have a reply and their friend says "because... I'm shy". This book is cute for making new friends. There may be those in a classroom who is shy and it's up to those who are loud and rambunctious to help pull out the shy ones from their hole. The illustrations are nice and detailed all the animals look realistic and it compliments the narrative nicely.
November 22, 2025
Browsing books to give my friends' children as gifts since I won't gift anything I haven't first read myself.
It is no secret that the Bear books are among my very favorite children's books. (Just check out any of my other reviews on this series of you feel the need to verify this statement.) The recurring cast of Bear and friends is comforting in its familiarity, but I love the uncertainty they face in this story of an introduction. It can make us a little anxious to meet new people! Or in this case...well, you'll see. With the beautiful illustrations that accompany the lyrical rhyming text, this is another gift-worthy addition to a child's home library.
It is no secret that the Bear books are among my very favorite children's books. (Just check out any of my other reviews on this series of you feel the need to verify this statement.) The recurring cast of Bear and friends is comforting in its familiarity, but I love the uncertainty they face in this story of an introduction. It can make us a little anxious to meet new people! Or in this case...well, you'll see. With the beautiful illustrations that accompany the lyrical rhyming text, this is another gift-worthy addition to a child's home library.
July 28, 2020
We love all of the Bear books. The characters are so adorable in the illustrations, and the interactions between them just seem so kind-even when dealing with more difficult feelings. In this book Bear and his friends hear a sound in the woods. They each take a guess on which friend it could be wondering “Who?” As each friend is revealed, it’s clear that the sound is coming from someone outside of the group. My kids were pretty pleased that they were able to guess exactly “Who” it was, thanks to the continued refrains of “who? Who?” throughout the story.
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April 3, 2024Intended Audience
This book is intended for children the ages of 3 and up.
Key themes
This is a story about Bear who is very anxious of playing ball in the fall he then decides to leave with his mouse. One on his way to try to find him bear is then surprised by a rattle in the tree until he finds a rebellious owl.
Why I chose this book for my library.
I chose this book for my library because it tells the story of bear and how it was terrified by an owl which my students would want to no more about.
This book is intended for children the ages of 3 and up.
Key themes
This is a story about Bear who is very anxious of playing ball in the fall he then decides to leave with his mouse. One on his way to try to find him bear is then surprised by a rattle in the tree until he finds a rebellious owl.
Why I chose this book for my library.
I chose this book for my library because it tells the story of bear and how it was terrified by an owl which my students would want to no more about.
April 10, 2021
The lyrical cadence of Karma Wilson's writing is a bit repetitive from book to book but in the stories as standalone pieces of art, it's delightful.
The cast of characters are perhaps a bit underdeveloped. What makes Mole tic? How about Wren?
Feels like we never get to know. Still, decent illustrations and a simple story about finding a friend. In the annals of Wilson's stories, superior to Bear Wants More but inferior to the original, Bear Snores On
The cast of characters are perhaps a bit underdeveloped. What makes Mole tic? How about Wren?
Feels like we never get to know. Still, decent illustrations and a simple story about finding a friend. In the annals of Wilson's stories, superior to Bear Wants More but inferior to the original, Bear Snores On
November 2, 2022
Bear may be huge but he is the most friendly creature in the forest. When a new critter moves in nearby, he is quick to introduce himself and make them feel welcomed.
My Opinion: Great lesson and great story!
Theme/Topics: Bears, Forest Animals, Friendship, Kindness, Making new friends, etc
Clean or Inappropriate: Clean
Age Group: Pre-K and Kindergarten
Kids Response: They love Bear and all his friends! They found it entertaining and not too long/wordy.
My Opinion: Great lesson and great story!
Theme/Topics: Bears, Forest Animals, Friendship, Kindness, Making new friends, etc
Clean or Inappropriate: Clean
Age Group: Pre-K and Kindergarten
Kids Response: They love Bear and all his friends! They found it entertaining and not too long/wordy.
February 21, 2023
The book Bears New Friend is about a new member of the bear & friends crew that is having a hard time overcoming his shyness to meet his new neighbors. I thought this book was adorable and allowed students reading who are introverted and shy to be able to relate to a character. I know that as a child I was very shy, but often blossomed and opened up when a new friend would come into my life. I really enjoyed reading this book about Bears' new friend.
February 17, 2018
When you are talking about Things going by and the bear constantly asks "Who?"..first of all, it is lazy. Second of all, I work with kids who really struggle to understand that who means person/people and WHAT means THINGS. So WHY DOES SHE GET IT WRONG on ALMOST every single page? There was one or 2 where it was actually appropriate but come on.
February 22, 2020
The Bear books are a WONDERFUL series for your young readers. These are great books for your beginning reader to start to read out loud. The rhyming text and beautiful illustrations make this a fun book to read. And as a parent, I appreciate that Wilson also includes a wonderful message with each of her stories.
March 27, 2021
Bear hears a sound and tries to figure out who made it. He goes through the list of his friends but each time he thinks it's one of his friends hiding, he sees them and realizes it isn't. As the title suggests, at the end, Bear makes a new friend.
Cute story and decent rhyming. Would be a good story for a shy kid who wants to make new friends.
Cute story and decent rhyming. Would be a good story for a shy kid who wants to make new friends.
August 31, 2019
Bear hears someone and can't figure out who it is, maybe one of his friends? But soon his friends all arrive - so it has to be somebody new. This adorable story - in rhyme and beautiful illustrations - is fun and easy for early readers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews