Gavin Bishop

Armchair Bear

In this delightful picture book, a big soft bear tries to get his puff back by becoming as strong as a gorilla, until his niblings remind him what matters most for a bear

Uncle Norman loves to rest on his  squashy armchair. But when the young bears visit, he’s all out of puff! He can’t play bear games like he used to. He doesn’t take the young bears on picnics. He’s no fun anymore. So when Norman notices an ad for the gym, he sets out to become a new bear. And when he encounters the mighty Gorilla Dilla, he decides to aim for the top. He too can be a powerful champion! But can a bear be a gorilla? Lifting weights turns out to be no fun for a bear. Instead, the young bears help Norman find his own way to the top.

 

Gecko Press

Picture Book

Age 4+
32 pp
hc | 255 x 240 mm
Publication: October 2026


Author & Illustrator: Gavin Bishop

All rights available, excl. Simplified Chinese, Turkish and Spanish (North America)

Awards

This big, soft, tired bear is such a relatable character and had me dusting off my walking boots.
Rachel Lawson, Publisher

By the same author and illustrator