Books published by publisher Bearcub Books

Features Karna, a brave and ambitious character from the epic Mahabharata, as famous for his generosity as for his skills with bow and arrow • Introduces children to one of the most colorful characters of Hindu mythology • Illustrated throughout with glowing full-color paintings in traditional Indian style • Speaks to the questions that arise for adoptive children and their parents When Princess Kunti is twelve years old she tries reciting a secret mantra for inviting the gods into her life. She gets more than she bargained for when the Sun, himself, swoops down out of the sky in a golden chariot and presents her with a baby. “Take him back,” she cries. “I’m not ready to be a mother!” But it’s too late; the Sun says the baby is her responsibility now. However, he points out the child’s golden earrings and the golden shield upon his chest and tells Kunti that as long he wears them, the child will be protected. Kunti tearfully puts the baby in a basket and sets him afloat on the river, where Adhiratha and Radha, a poor and childless couple, find him and take him in.Karna: The Greatest Archer in the World introduces the reader to the heroic but humanly flawed character of Karna, who grapples with issues of right and wrong, truth and lies, loyalty and abandonment. It tells how Radha helps her adoptive son, Karna, solve the mystery of his birth; how she and her husband give Karna the courage to follow his heart in the study of archery; how Karna faces his birth mother in the final days of his brief but brilliant life; and how his loyalty to a friend and his unparalleled generosity and sense of honor ultimately cause him to give his own life so that good may triumph over evil.

Look around the school! What do you spy? This title uses a repetitive sentence pattern and strong visual cues to help young readers discover wonderful things at school. This book features repetitive and predictable text and incorporates high-frequency and familiar sight words. Children just learning how to read will love these colorful and engaging nonfiction books.

Freddy is a knight. Sadly, his suit is too tight. Even with all his might, can he fight a dragon wearing a suit that's too tight? Find out in this fun and quirky story that teaches early readers lots of "ight" words! The expertly crafted text uses this rhyming pattern along with strong picture cues to help early readers get the reading practice they need.

Look around the library! What do you spy? This title uses a repetitive sentence pattern and strong visual cues to help young readers discover wonderful things at the library. This book features repetitive and predictable text and incorporates high-frequency and familiar sight words. Children just learning how to read will love these colorful and engaging nonfiction books.

Look around the beach! What do you spy? This title uses a repetitive sentence pattern and strong visual cues to help young readers discover wonderful things at the beach. This book features repetitive and predictable text and incorporates high-frequency and familiar sight words. Children just learning how to read will love these colorful and engaging nonfiction books.

An illustrated version of the classic Hindu epic the Ramayana• Presents the famous Hindu epic retold for Western children ages 6 to 9• Fully illustrated with full-color paintings in traditional Indian styleLong ago, the story goes, the entire earth was overrun with demons. The ten-headed demon king Ravana had prayed to his grandfather, Lord Brahma, asking that he be granted immortality. And Brahma had granted his wish . . . almost. No god, demon, plant, or animal could harm Ravana, which allowed him to cause considerable damage as he and his demon army ransacked the earth. But Ravana was so scornful of humans he hadn’t bothered to ask for protection from them. This omission would prove to be his downfall.With cries for help rising from every corner of the earth, the heavenly gods, Lords Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu, decided that something had to be done to rid the world of the rampaging demons and restore peace and order. They decided that Vishnu should be incarnated upon the earth in the form of the virtuous prince Ram. As a human prince, albeit one who had help from the gods, he would be able to defeat the demon king.In Ram the Demon Slayer, readers follow Ram from his conception and birth through his training with sages and first successful demon battles to his marriage to the beautiful princess Sita and his final triumphant victory over the demon king. This beautifully illustrated retelling of the Ramayana makes accessible to Western children and their parents one of the favorite heroes of the Hindu tradition.

Look around the park! What do you spy? This title uses a repetitive sentence pattern and strong visual cues to help young readers discover wonderful things at the park. This book features repetitive and predictable text and incorporates high-frequency and familiar sight words. Children just learning how to read will love these colorful and engaging nonfiction books.

Lavishly illustrated guide to Chinese Astrology for children ages 8-12. • Illustrations and text describe the characteristics of each of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac and of those born under each sign. • Each animal is accompanied by a traditional Chinese folktale. • Offers a brief overview of Chinese astrology and the history of the Chinese zodiac. Anyone who has ever taken children to a Chinese restaurant and watched them read the paper placemat with fascination knows that children (and adults) love the playfulness and self-reflection of Chinese astrology. Now children can learn about the unique character traits and legends that make up the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, as well as experience a deeper appreciation for the cultural traditions behind Chinese astrology. Beautifully illustrated with lifelike animals that jump off the page, Animals in the Stars provides an informative and playful tool for self-exploration using this ancient tradition. The human personality traits of the 12 animals--both good and bad--are described in detail along with explanations of the significance of being born in the "year of" that particular animal. Each animal description is also accompanied by a traditional Chinese folktale further personifying the unique qualities and characteristics of that animal. Youngsters can enjoy these magical teaching tales while learning their "sign" as well as those of family members and friends. This wonderful introduction to the foundations of Chinese astrology is a perfect resource for the child seeking to know more about Chinese culture, zodiac animal characteristics, relationship dynamics, or esoteric traditions, as well as those seeking the simple fun inherent in the combination of astrology and animals.

Freddy is a knight. Sadly, his suit is too tight. Even with all his might, can he fight a dragon wearing a suit that’s too tight? Find out in this fun and quirky story that teaches early readers lots of “ight” words! The expertly crafted text uses this rhyming pattern along with strong picture cues to help early readers get the reading practice they need.

Tells how the Hindu goddess Ganga came to Earth as the Ganges River• Introduces children to one of the most beloved characters of Hindu mythology• Illustrated throughout with full-color paintings in traditional Indian styleThe Ganges River, which flows from the high reaches of the Himalayas all the way down to the Bay of Bengal, is sacred to the Hindu people, who consider it to be the earthly form of the goddess Ganga. The story of how Ganga was born, and how she became a river, tells of a journey from a place even higher than the Himalayan mountaintops--a journey from Heaven itself.Born in a pot of sacred water, the baby Ganga grows into a beautiful and lighthearted girl, the darling of Heaven. But one day her sense of humor gets her in trouble. When grumpy Sage Durvasa is caught in a whirlwind that blows his clothes right off him, Ganga makes the mistake of laughing at him. In a rage, the sage puts a curse on her: “You must go to Earth as a river!” Ganga is heartbroken and begs the sage to forgive her. He can’t take back the curse, but seeing that she is truly sorry, he gives her a blessing as well: her water will purify the souls of men, releasing them from sin. When Sage Baghirath prays to the gods to help him release the souls of his ancestors, Ganga comes tumbling from the sky and follows the sage across India, the river unfurling behind her. To this day millions of people take comfort in her healing waters, and Ganga, too, takes comfort in relieving their suffering.

Look around the market! What do you spy? This title uses a repetitive sentence pattern and strong visual cues to help young readers discover wonderful things at the market. This book features repetitive and predictable text and incorporates high-frequency and familiar sight words. Children just learning how to read will love these colorful and engaging nonfiction books.