Bear Is Never Alone, written by Marc Veerkamp, illustrated by Jeska Verstegen
The Norton Simon Museum will present a reading of “Bear Is Never Alone,” an acclaimed children’s book about a musical bear seeking solitude, on Dec. 8, the second Sunday of the month.
The afternoon program, part of the museum’s “Stories in the Afternoon” series, will guide participants in contemplating companionship and alone time through Théodore Rousseau’s painting “Morning Effect.”
Published by Eerdmans Young Readers in April 2023, the 32-page book features striking illustrations in black, white, and red by Jeska Verstegen and text by Marc Veerkamp.
The social-emotional story, translated from the Dutch original by Laura Watkinson, follows a piano-playing bear whose forest neighbors continuously demand performances, saying “More, more, Pianobear!”
When Bear becomes overwhelmed, it’s Zebra who demonstrates true understanding by bringing over a book instead of demanding more music, offering a lesson in respecting boundaries.
The book has earned the 2023 New York Times New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award and the Children’s Book Committee of Bank Street College’s Best Books Under Five recognition.
A museum educator will guide families with children ages four to eight through the one-hour program, which includes creating paper instruments. Attendance is free with museum admission.
The event will take place in the museum’s Entrance Gallery from 3 to 4 p.m.
No reservations are required.
