"Better a bear in the orchard than an Orchard in the bear,"  was the firm belief of Johnny Orchard's grandfather.  That was one good reason why there was no bearskin on Johnny's barn.  All the other barns in the valley had huge bearskins hung to dry.  Johnny was humiliated.  Since his father would do nothing about the situation, Johnny took things into his own hands.

He went looking for the biggest bear in the forest and he came home with a very little bear.  But the bear grew as all bears do, and Johnny was in trouble.

With this completely engaging picture book artist Lynd Ward makes his debut as a writer for children.  His writing has all the charm, the distinction and the strength of these pictures, the most delightful he has ever done.

Children of all ages will find this an exciting picture book, one to be read, reread, and to be treasured both for its story and for the beauty of Mr. Ward's drawings.

From the dust jacket