“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? “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