A story of friendship to treasure this Christmas . . . From the bestselling author of A DOG CALLED HOMELESS, this is the perfect Christmas gift for fans of Michael Morpurgo, Lauren St John and Sara Pennypacker's PAX. It's the Christmas holidays and Thea is looking forward to spending them with her father. She can tell him all about her plans to become a writer, and maybe he'll buy her the typewriter she's been dreaming of. But when Thea arrives in snowy Norway, everything feels . . . wrong. Her father is as distant as ever and now she has to share him with his new family: his girlfriend Inge and her children. Then Thea makes a surprising discovery. Deep in the snowy woods by the house, is a bear. He's scared and hungry and he desperately needs Thea's help. When the town hears about a bear living in the woods, Bear's life is in even greater danger. Thea needs to show everyone that he's not dangerous - he's a good bear - if she's to save him. A gorgeous Christmas story for readers aged 9+ that will warm your heart and take you on an adventure you will never forget. Beautifully illustrated by award-winning illustrator Fiona Woodcock, the artist behind Abi Elphinstone's The Snow Dragon. 'A big, beautiful hug of a book and the perfect winter companion' Phil Earle, author of When the Sky Falls 'A heart-warming story' Abi Elphinstone, author of The Unmapped Chronicles series 'Beautiful, wise and tender' Zillah Bethell, author of The Shark Caller 'When she meets a bear in the woods, it leads to a transformative friendship that will help to mend the family's divisions' The Telegraph's best new children's books to buy for Christmas 2021 'Author Sarah Lean and illustrator Fiona Woodcock build a beautiful, wintery world for this story about family and friendship' The Scotsman 'Sarah Lean's beautifully written story about a lonely girl and a brown bear is a modern fairytale' Booktrust 'Beautifully written with lovely illustrations, this heart-warming animal story is a real delight - perfect for cosy winter reading' The Week Junior Readers love The Good Bear: 'A story which reminds us that Christmas is about family and togetherness' Amazon reviewer 'This was a heart warming and adventurous story that kept me turning the pages to see what happened next' Amazon reviewer 'A lovely book to cuddle up and share' Amazon reviewer 'Such a beautiful and heartwarming story. I didn't want it to end' Amazon reviewer

A wintry animal story that will warm your heart and take you on an adventure you will never forget. From the bestselling author of A DOG CALLED HOMELESS. It's the Christmas holidays and Thea is looking forward to spending them with her father. She can tell him all about her plans to become a writer, and maybe he'll buy her the typewriter she's been dreaming of. But when Thea arrives in Norway, everything feels ... wrong. Her father is as distant as ever and now she has to share him with his new family: his girlfriend Inge and her children.Then Thea makes a surprise discovery. Deep in the snowy woods by the house, is a bear. He's scared and hungry and he desperately needs Thea's help. When the town hears about a bear living in the woods, Bear's life is in even greater danger. Thea needs to show everyone that he's not dangerous - he's a Good Bear - if she's to save him.

A family secret waiting to be discovered… from bestselling author of A Dog Called Homeless.

A shared story can last forever.

Hannah’s grandad loves telling stories from his past, but there’s one that he can’t remember… one that Hannah knows is important.

When a whale appears off the coast, clues to Grandad’s secret begin to surface. Hannah is determined to solve the mystery but, as she gets closer to the truth, Grandad’s story is more extraordinary than she imagined.

Includes beautiful inside artwork from hugely talented illustrator, Gary Blythe.

My name is Cally Louise Fisher and I haven't spoken for thirty-one days. Talking doesn’t always make things happen, however much you want them to.

Cally Fisher saw her mum bright and real and alive. But no one believes her, so Cally’s stopped talking.

A mysterious wolfhound always seems to be there when her mum appears and now he’s started following her everywhere. But how can Cally convince anyone that Mum is still with them, or persuade Dad that the huge silver-grey dog is their last link with her?

An outstandingly assured debut novel from a sparkling new talent. Includes beautiful inside artwork from hugely talented illustrator, Gary Blythe.

Meet animal lover, Tiger Days! A brand-new young fiction series about animals, friendship and adventure by bestselling author Sarah Lean. Beautiful black-and-white illustrations throughout. When Tiger Days visits her grandmother at Willowgate House, she never knows what to expect... Tiger meets Lucky - an injured otter who can't survive by himself. Tiger has an important job to do - feeding and caring for Lucky, and also exploring the riverbank in search of the perfect place for him to live. She desperately wants Lucky to get better, but saying goodbye to her new friend won't be easy... No day is ever dull for Tiger!

Some friendships are meant to be… A story about family, friendship and belonging, from bestselling author, Sarah Lean.

Hope lives with her artist mum in the Pyrenees. It’s always been just the two of them… until Frank – a free-spirited traveller – arrives with his donkey, Harry.

Hope and Frank form a close bond, so it’s hard for both of them when Frank decides it’s time to move on. Hope questions what she is to Frank. He’s not her dad, but he was more than just her mum’s boyfriend. Except, there’s no name for that kind of pair…

Hope promises to look after Harry and, slowly, another special pair is made – one that makes Hope realise that some friendships become part of you and, even when someone is far away, they are always near to your heart.

A story about a little dog with the heart of a lion. From the bestselling author of a ‘A Dog Called Homeless’.

Leo dreams about being a hero. In his imagination he is a fearsome gladiator, but he wants to be a hero in real life.

When the boys at school dare Leo to do something he knows is wrong, he lets everybody down. How can he make things right again?

A little dog called Jack Pepper is missing and it will take a true hero to find him and bring him home…

Includes beautiful inside artwork from hugely talented illustrator, Gary Blythe.

Meet animal lover, Tiger Days! A heart-warming series about animals, friendship and adventure, by bestselling author Sarah Lean. Beautiful black-and-white illustrations throughout. When nine-year-old Tiger Days stays with her grandmother at Willowgate House she never knows what might happen... new friends to meet, animals to rescue and problems to solve! Tiger returns to Willowgate and discovers that a mysterious tunnel has appeared under the shed and someone - or something - has been burying eggs in the garden... Tiger and her friend Tom decides to become detectives - determined to crack the case! . At Willowgate House, no day is ever dull for Tiger!

Special friendships can be found in the most unlikely places…

A powerful, intriguing story from the bestselling author of A Dog Called Homeless.

Sometimes when things are broken you can’t fix them on your own – no matter how hard you try.

When Nell is sent to stay with distant family, she packs a suitcase full of secrets. A chance encounter with a wild horse draws Nell to Angel – a mysterious, troubled girl who is hiding secrets of her own. Both girls must learn to trust each other, if they are to save a hundred horses…

Includes beautiful inside artwork from hugely talented illustrator, Gary Blythe.

Meet animal lover, Tiger Days! A brand-new young fiction series about animals, friendship and adventure by bestselling author Sarah Lean. Beautiful black-and-white illustrations throughout. When nine-year-old Tiger Days stays with her grandmother at Willowgate House she never knows what might happen... new friends to meet, animals to rescue and problems to solve! Tiger's grandmother looks after animals in need, and when Tiger comes to stay she quickly learns how to feed a baby warthog and keep it safe. Tiger already has her hands full when a mysterious sound leads her to another little animal... At Willowgate House, no day is ever dull for Tiger!

Praised by Newbery Medal-winning author Katherine Applegate as "graceful" and "miraculous," this Schneider Family Book Award-winning novel tells how one girl's friendship with a homeless dog mends a family's heart.

Cally Fisher knows she can see her dead mother, but the only other living soul who does is a mysterious wolfhound who always seems to be there when her mom appears. How can Cally convince anyone that her mom is still with the family, or persuade her dad that the huge silver-gray dog belongs with them?

With beautiful, spare writing and adorable animals, A Dog Called Homeless is perfect for readers of favorite middle-grade novels starring dogs, such as Because of Winn-Dixie and Shiloh.