about the book
Bears are big and squirrels are small. Bears sometimes eat squirrels. But this Bear has a friend, Squirrel, and he would never, ever eat his good pal.
Bear shakes the oak tree so Squirrel can gather the acorns as quick as can be. He even helps Squirrel build a nice cozy nest out of twigs and leaves. Squirrel, in return, helps Bear care for his den. A bushy tail makes an excellent duster! But mostly, these two good friends just have a great time talking and playing together.
All of Bear’s burly bear buddies think Squirrel would make a tasty snack, maybe in soup or an ice cream sundae. Squirrel’s chattering pals are quite certain Bear will get hungry and snarf him right up. After all, that is what bears usually do. But Squirrel and Bear know each other so well, neither is at all concerned.
When Bear goes into hibernation, Squirrel is right there knitting a scarf for Bear It’s a very long scarf because it’s a very long hibernation! During his long winter’s nap, Bear dreams of all sorts of good food, like pizza and cupcakes. When Bear finally wakes up, there is something different between the two friends. Bear is ferociously hungry—as hungry as a bear! When he looks at Squirrel, he sees a very yummy nummy cupcake instead! One he just can’t resist…
…chomp, chomp, chomp!
Has this friendship come to a sad end—or does Squirrel know exactly how to fill Bear’s enormous appetite?
about the author/illustrator
When Deb Pilutti was a kid, she loved reading more than anything else! Her second favorite thing was watching cartoons. Her dad was a writer and a storyteller while her mother was the artist in the family. Deb thinks that is why she ended up creating children’s books…or maybe it was because she took a college workshop from famed author/illustrator Leo Lionni and he taught her to have a more child-like sense of joy.
Deb started her career as a free-lance graphic designer working on everything from websites to logos. She designed lots of fun stuff, and her great job allowed her to spend time “researching”— playing with toys, reading picture books, and watching old Bugs Bunny cartoons! Her graphic design work has been published in several magazines and won all sorts of awards.
When Deb began to think about children’s books, she sent out samples of her designs to several publishers. An editor called her with a book idea, which resulted in her first book, The City Kid and the Suburb Kid. She has also done illustrations for other authors.
Her Bear and Squirrel book started out as just a doodle. The big blue bear and the chipper little brown squirrel worked their way into her subconscious and Deb soon found herself doodling them everywhere! With their quirky personalities, Deb began to wonder if they really could be friends. She just had to know the answer, so the picture book Bear and Squirrel are Friends…Yes, Really! was born!
Deb lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with her family. Now her favorite activity is writing children’s books and daydreaming about new stories while walking in the woods near her home!
Sources:
Author/Illustrator website
Author/Illustrator biography: Macmillan
Author/Illustrator spotlight: Happy Birthday Author
Book trailer: Bear and Squirrel Are Friends… Yes, Really!
Also by Deb Pilutti:
Ten Rules of Being a Superhero. Henry Holt & Company. 2014.
read more!
Good Night, Bat! Good Morning, Squirrel! by Paul Meisel
“Bug off!” Squirrel writes to Bat on a leaf after bat moves in without asking. When Bat gets the note, he makes sure all the bugs are off Squirrels’ bed. “Leave my house!” Squirrel writes the next evening before bed. When Bat gets the note, he lays leaves on the floor of their home. Awake at opposite times of the day, will the two roommates resolve their differences?
Ten Rules of Being a Superhero by Deb Pilutti
A young boy declares himself Lava Boy and sidekick to his beloved action figure Captain Magma. The pair develop a set of superhero guidelines to follow. For example, Rule #2: Saving the day is messy. (But everyone understands.) Rule #7: Superheroes must rest so they can recharge. And Rule #8: A superhero is always brave. (Well, almost always.)
Little Elliot, Big City by Mike Curato
Little Elliot, the spotted elephant, feels somewhat lonely living in New York City. He is too small to be noticed when he tries to purchase a cupcake. But one day, he meets an even smaller mouse, and together they are able to do much more than either can do alone. Elliot finally gets his cupcake, and something even better—a friend to share it with.