Courage is something that comes from your heart. But if you can't find it there, you can wear it on your head at first. Mae is a girl. Bear is a bear. But over the course of one life-changing, slightly nerve-racking train ride, they find out that this might be the only thing they don't have in common. Kate Hoefler's signature lyricism and Jessixa Bagley's sweetly wry art combine for a gently whimsical, people (and bear) pleaser of a story about the fear of being different, the ways we overcome this fear, and the fact that often what's different is a lot more familiar than we might think. With courage, determination, and a dash of friendship, Mae and Bear discover all the humor, warmth, and beauty found in togetherness and in the unknown.

Featuring the clever wordplay of Narwhal and Jelly author Ben Clanton and playful illustrations by Ezra Jack Keats honor winner Jessixa Bagley, Curious EnCOUNTers will have children laughing while learning to count from 1 to 13. Children will have fun learning to count from 1 to 13 in this clever and imaginative book featuring Pacific Northwest critters engaged in curious activities and woven together by a young girl who goes on a hike. Readers will join her in unexpected, silly encounters along the way, such as one moose making a movie, five wolves weaving wool, and eight coyotes kayaking and canoeing. The young girl's hike culminates in what may be the most curious encounter of all: many of the animals in the book enjoying a big picnic lunch together, pulling in humorous details from previous scenes. With the visual humor in Jessixa Bagley's illustrations, children will have fun learning to count to 13! And older readers will enjoy Ben Clanton's clever and punny wordplay!