Bear and Duck are Friends

⭐ Shortlisted for Early Childhood Book of the Year in the 2024 Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards! ⭐ 

A gorgeous modern classic about an unlikely friendship and learning to get along, from beloved Australian author-illustrator Sue deGennaro.

Bear and Duck are best friends, even though they’re very different. Duck likes to try new things, and Bear … well, Bear likes not to! But when Duck needs a friend for her dance class, Bear reluctantly agrees. Will Bear’s big size causes problems, or can he be a good dancer anyway?

Bear and Duck explores friendship, confidence and overcoming fears, and is perfect for young readers aged 3+.

REVIEWS:
“This sweet, simply told [picture book] emphasizes the importance of offering unwavering support and lets kids know that they can boost others’ spirits. Children will feel buoyed by these pals. Visible pencil strokes give the softly rendered illustrations a cozy feeling; the winsome protagonists look almost like stuffed toys. An adorable, cheery friendship tale.” –Kirkus Magazine

“DeGennaro’s inviting narrative creates the characters, defines their personalities, and sends Bear into another potentially embarrassing situation, which he handles bravely with help from Duck. A few rhyming phrases pop up as lively additions to the text. In the expressive illustrations, the two lovable main characters stand out clearly against white backgrounds. An appealing and ultimately joyous read-aloud choice.” –Booklist

Author Biography

Sue deGennaro is a best-selling author and illustrator. She has worked with top calibre authors such as Ursula Dubosarsky and Jackie French, as well as writing and illustrating many of her own critically acclaimed titles, including The Pros and Cons of Being a Frog, which was shortlisted for the CBCA Early Childhood Book of the Year in 2013. The Tomorrow Book, written by Jackie French and illustrated by Sue deGennaro, won The Environment Award for Children’s Literature in 2011.

Sue’s illustrations are lively and fun – often imbued with humour, but also a wonderful softness. She spent years working as a trapeze artist in the circus, plus a stint in a lolly shop, so she knows all about what kids like. She’s held many highly successful workshops with school children through Booked Out, and also teaches writing and illustration to adults.