Kirkus calls BEAR IN THE AIR by Allison Wortche and Cat Min “a captivating tale that encourages readers to soar high” in starred review
★ Bear in the Air
Author: Allison Wortche
Illustrator: Cat Min
Publisher: Knopf
Publication Date: September 16, 2025
Look! Up in the air! It’s Bear!
On a bright sunny day, a rosy-cheeked bear decides to go for a solo balloon ride. At first, Bear is thrilled to be so high among the clouds and happily waves to his animal friends below. But as he continues to ascend, Bear gets more nervous—and his pals’ activities start to look more attractive. After a dramatic cry for help and a little help from his friends, Bear comes back down to earth both literally and figuratively. Young readers will strongly relate to Bear in both his quest for independence and his realization that no matter how high we fly, sometimes we need support. Wortche’s text is poetic in its simplicity; her use of alliteration and repetition makes for a stellar read-aloud: “Then he takes a big, brave breath. His voice echoes over fields and forests, sunflowers and streams.” Min’s lively art, a combination of watercolor, colored pencil, and digital techniques, literally sparkles with bright glints, pops, and glitters and brims with vibrant activity, culminating in a series of action-packed spreads that will bring the storytime crowd to their feet, cheering. Together, words and images create a warm, energetic world infused with comforting shades of blue, purple, and orange—and, just as importantly, filled with friends to enjoy it with.
A captivating tale that encourages readers to soar high—and reassures them that help is always there if they need it.
(Picture book. 3-7)