A beautiful story of what dreams, practice, and determinations can do for you while also reminding of the importance of family and friendship and how love endures even when family and friends are far away. ( )

picture book (preschool and up, or younger as a one-on-one readaloud)

surprisingly sweet, imaginative story for gentle bears who love music. The illustrations are lovely, too. ( )

My new favorite picture book, this is one of my favorite stories I have read in awhile. When I first started hunting for picture books I came across a great list and this book was on it. Its a great story about remembering where you came from no matter how successful you are and that the people who really love you will always be there for you. ( )

Yet another picture book I read today with gorgeous illustrations. The endpapers are so beautiful, the light streaming through the forest...lovely. The story is also super lovely, about a bear who goes out into the world to experience different things and finds his family still waiting for him when he finally gets back home. Just...nice. Plus there's a piano-playing bear. ( )

A bear cub finds a piano in the forest and teaches himself to play. He is discovered, and moves to the city to play concerts for packed halls, but eventually wants to return to the forest. At first he thinks the other bears have forgotten him, but the opposite is true. A sweet story about the magic of music.

See also: The Noisy Paint Box by Barb Rosenstock, Because by Mo Willems, Beekle by Dan Santat ( )