• Age: 4 to 9
• Grade: p to 3
• Reading age: 7 to 8

Bella has a bear named Arthur. Like other bears, he's soft and cuddly. Unlike other bears, Arthur knows karate and works tirelessly all night to protect Bella from monsters, dragons, slugs, and other things that lurk in the shadows. One night, Arthur goes missing. Her mother, her father, and her little brother search high and low, but he is nowhere to be found. Will Bella ever find him again? Or can she find a way to be brave all on her own?

JESSICA MESERVE was born in Maine, studied illustration in Scotland, and worked in publishing as a children’s book designer before pursuing a career as an illustrator. She has illustrated a number of books for children, and is the author-illustrator of four picture books, including Small Sister and Can Anybody Hear Me? Jessica lives with her family in the UK.

Jessica Meserve's profile page

• Winner, Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year