Bear wants to find a brand-new big idea for her best friend because Fish asked him to. It was harder than she thought!
As Fish says: "Just because you can't see something, doesn't mean it's not there"
The illustrations by Il Sung Na are simple and convey everything a reader could wish for.
Perfect for reading alone or WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, especially to a school, church library, or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Lerner Publishing Group/Carolrhoda Books ® via NetGalley. Thank you!

A story about Fish and Bear’s friendship.
Fish is always coming up with fun ideas and what adventures to try each day. When it’s Bear’s turn to come up with an idea but is stuck. Instead of giving up she starts looking for inspiration.
This is such a cute story and my lil one enjoyed reading it too.

Pub Date - September 10th, 2024

Thanks @netgalley for eARC

Fun and creative story about friendship and having fun with whatever you have around! I can see a fun follow up activity by giving similar items to kids to come up with something else they could do!

Review coming soon!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Opinions are mine.

This picture book features an unlikely friendship between a fish and a bear. Days of the week are partially reviewed as Fish comes up with activities to occupy their time. When it comes time for Bear to make the decisions, she becomes anxious that she won’t come up with a brand-new big idea. The pictures are fun and entertaining. My 6-year old laughed and thought it was silly, rating the book 4.5 stars. I enjoyed the creativity and the repetition makes this great for the youngest readers to follow along.

This book celebrates creative thinking and resilience by following bear on his quest to discover new ideas. The illustrations are beautiful and exciting, and the unique expressions of the main character are a wonderful touch. This book would draw any child in and encourage them to think outside of the box when faced with a dilemma.

The book was beautifully written and the illustrations are very whimsical. The author made careful word choices that were very impactful. Overall, the book was well written and I did really enjoy it.

Bear's Big Idea by Sandra Nickel is an adorable book with fabulous illustrations.

Loved it. Definitely recommend.

This was a cute book about friendship. It showed a friend being supportive and patient with Bear. Bear learned a true friend would always be there even if he doesn’t have a super cool idea. My kids enjoyed this one.

What a great book for kids!! Bear is trying to think of something fun to do, and is stuck. Instead of giving up, she keeps looking for inspiration, until she finally finds a creative solution!

This books teaches kids to be creative, and to persevere when they cannot think of an idea right away. Bear and Fish have a sweet friendship, with fish reassuring Bear that she will always be there for her.

I can see using this book in the classroom as an introduction to a creative problem-solving activity, like a STEM Challenge, with a focus on perseverance. Divergent thinking can also be tied in by asking students to come up with a use for an object that is not its main purpose, such as "find as many uses as you can for a toothpick/paperclip,rubberband, etc.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

What a great book that discusses friendship and the ability to look past what makes us different because it’s who we are. The pictures were cute!

Bear and Fish are good friends. Fish lives in a bowl of water but it doesn’t seem to be a problem for bear to take his best friend along on adventures. Fish is the half of the pair that comes up with a new adventure each day. Then Fish decides Bear should have a turn to come up with a big idea/adventure. Poor poor Bear worries and frets all night and much of the next day because he can’t think of a new idea. He feels he’s letting his friend down. But you see, Fish is a true friend and is always there to encourage Bear no matter what. Finally, Bear comes up with a big idea and they go on a big adventure.

Readers will anticipate the adventure Bear finally hatches for the pair.
II like the message behind the story, patience, love, friendship and encouragement for a friend.

This was a very cute book about a Bear and Fish finding new ways to play together! Fish always comes up with the idea of what to do that day, so when it’s Bear’s turn, he doesn’t know what to do. This is a simple way to show kids part of the fun is coming up with an idea and that if it’s with the right friend, anything can be fun!

I'm so happy to see another book about Bear and Fish! These two are such wonderful friends. And there is always a deeper meaning to these stories. In Big Bear and Little Fish, the deeper meaning was about perspective and what is big and what is little. In Bear's Big Idea, the deeper meaning is about how we find ideas. There is always something for both the child and the adult reader to think about in these stories.

Bear and Fish always have fun adventures. Fish always has the best ideas on what they should do. Fish suggests Bear picks the next days activity. Bear spends the book struggling to find a new activity to do with Fish. This book was super cute and a nice fast read! The pictures were super fun and engaging. Thank you for the early copy! Can’t wait to buy this for my daughter!

Big Bear is back and looking for a big idea activity to share with Little Fish! It has to be new. It has to be big. Bear feels the pressure and struggles to find just the right thing to do. All the while, Fish is at Bear’s side patiently showing faith in Bear’s abilities. And in the end, Bear learns a new lesson about true friendship. This second book in the Big Bear series is delightful, The story has characters who are engaging and relatable. The illustrations perfectly enhance the text. Bear’s Big Idea by Sandra Nickel is a must have library addition for parents and teachers alike!

I received an electronic ARC from Lerner Publishing Group through NetGalley.
Bear and Fish are best friends who do everything together. Fish comes up with new ideas every day and they set out on their new adventures. Fish wants Bear to come up with the idea for Friday. Bear struggles and struggles to think of something. I love how Fish encourages him and continues to affirm he is right beside him. When Bear's idea finally arrives, it is amazing and the two celebrate their friendship. The illustrations will hold younger readers as they enhance the text and offer context clues. A sweet story that will be a fun read together for families and classes.

Bear and fish are best friends.. but Bear cannot think think of an idea for them to do. Bear works to find her idea, while worrying she'll disappoint Fish if she can't find one.
Super cute book. I love how supportive and reassuring Fish is to Bear. Adorable pictures and sweet story. My son loved!

Bear and Fish are good friends. Most days, Fish wakes up and comes up with a new adventure for the pair. Then Fish decides Bear should have a turn to come up with a big idea/adventure. Bear worries all night and much of the next day because he can’t think of a new idea. Luckily, Fish is always there for him no matter what. Finally, Bear comes up with a big idea and they go on a big adventure!

This is a great second book in the Bear and Fish series. I like the message behind this one. I can’t wait to share it with my class when it comes out!!

This is a cute story about fish and bear. I liked that Bear didn’t have the answers right away and that fish stood by his friend. I definitely think there are lots of good talking points for this book when I share it with my class.