Bear and Bird: The Cloud
A story about friendship and being new in town from Jarvis, winner of the Oscar's Book Prize
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Walker Books Ltd
Published:12th Feb '26
Should be back in stock very soon
This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Hardback - Signed Bookplate Edition£12.99(9781529526752-SB)
“These wittily illustrated stories of mishaps, hurt feelings, fondness and friendship have a transporting quality.” Guardian on Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories
Cosy, funny and with heaps of heart, this is a picture book story of first friendship from the beloved creator of the The Boy With Flowers in His Hair, winner of the Oscar's Book Prize, and a picture book prequel to the internationally successful young reader series.
When Bear arrives at the Woody Woods for the first time, he is looking for a friend. But it seems like all the friends are already taken. But then he meets Bird, who is looking for something, too – the Puffy Fluffy Octopus Cloud! Bear decides to help her look for it and so begins an unexpected adventure...
Will they ever find that octopus-shaped cloud? Perhaps they might find something even better?
"An utterly adorable picture book about early friendships and what matters most. The art is breathtakingly beautiful - every page is a masterpiece. Little readers will love it." Books that Help
“Bear and Bird has all the charm and wisdom of Julian Gough and Jim Field’s Rabbit and Bear series … The illustrations are glorious.” Irish Independent on Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories
"Jarvis’s digital drawings, in beautiful colors, have an attractive handmade feel." The New York Times Book Review on Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories
Readers aged 5-7 can enjoy lots more Bear and Bird adventures in the young reader series. Look out for:
Bear and Bird: The Picnic and Other Stories
Bear and Bird: The Stars and Other Stories
Bear and Bird: The Adventure and Other Stories
Bear and Bird: The Stick and Other Stories
Bear and Bird: The Cave and Other Stories
Bear and Bird: The Secret and Other Stories
The Cloud: A Bear and Bird Picture Book (Walker, 2026) is an utterly adorable picture book about early friendships and what matters most. In this story, Bear arrives at the Woody Woods looking for a friend but sadly it looks like all the friends are taken. He then bumps into Bird who is looking for a Fluffy Puffy Octopus Cloud and decides to help. So begins a gorgeous adventure and a sweet story that shows that together is better. And that sometimes we don’t find exactly what we’re looking for (or manage to miss it!) but maybe what we do find is so much more special.
The art is breathtakingly beautiful too - every page is a masterpiece. Little readers will love it.
Settle down with this gentle, gorgeous story, with its pastel-washed illustrations and discover how friendships find their own flow. -- Louise Ellis-Barrett * Armadillo Books *
Full of warmth, tenderness and subtle humour, this is a story of yearning for friendship and belonging that young children will relate to while enjoying the adventures the two characters share. Jarvis’s illustrations with their playful details, depictions of Bear and Bird’s expressions and body language, and the pastel colours are a delight and both children and adults will want to spend time enjoying each and every page. -- Jill Bennett * Red Reading Hub *
Oh, do I love the books about Bear and Bird! The stories are full of childlike wonder and behaviour, while teaching some lesson at the same time. But it's not heavy on the lesson part. This is, to me, the perfect balance in a childrens book.
This picture book has the same lovely aspects of these stories that I know already. It is funny, lovely and warm. I can really imagine children enjoying reading the story.
The style of illustrations is also lovely. They are very pretty to look at, but just like in the other books, it's easy for young readers to spot the elements of the story. The illustrations really enhance the story and add their own elements as well.
This is a beautifully illustrated book about making a friend. Bear wants to make a friend and bird wants to find the cloud octopus. They spend the day together and find that their new friendship is the real prize of the day. I think will be an excellent read aloud in the classroom. Students will love looking for the octopus cloud. * NetGalley Review
ISBN: 9781529526752
Dimensions: 276mm x 234mm x 18mm
Weight: 380g
40 pages