Ollie is a regular bear with a regular job. He listens to his girl's stories about her days, he snuggles her to sleep and he is there waiting when she gets home from school. Just your typical teddy bear stuff. So when he is whisked away to the annual teddy bears' picnic, he feels insignificant compared to the other bears who do daring and daunting things: sleepovers, hospital stays — even a night in the lost and found!

After small talk with a regional stuffing manager, a department of cuddling official and a stitchery inspector; a stop at the snack table; and even some team building activities, it's time for the teddy bear service awards… and Ollie feels even more small and unimportant. But he soon learns that it's not just the big things that matter, it's the little things too.

While parents will love the tongue-in-cheek office-party details, kids and parents alike will fall in love with Ollie: a sweet bear who discovers that his love for his girl makes him very special indeed. (From Tundra Books)

Vikki VanSickle is the author of a number of acclaimed books, including the picture book If I Had A Gryphon and novels Words That Start With B, Summer Days, Starry Nights and the 2018 Red Maple Award winner The Winnowing. She currently works as the director of marketing and publicity for Penguin Random House Canada Young Readers.

Sydney Hanson is a children's book illustrator. Her illustrations and paintings are inspired by a love for animals and the natural world. In addition to her traditional illustrations, Hanson is a well-practiced 2D and 3D production artist.