The very cranky bear - Nick Bland

In the Jingle, jangle jungle, four friends encounter a very cranky bear. Moose, Lion and Zebra all think they know how to cheer him up, but it's plain, boring Sheep who has the answer. This is a hilarious picture book, with the over-riding message being: Don't underestimate the quiet ones! Sometime a little thought is all you need to solve a problem instead of rushing to immediate action.

Nick Bland's first picture book was published in 2001 and he is one of the key sellers on Scholastic's picture book list. He lives in Darwin and works full time as an author/illustrator. At weekends he works as a guardian for 120 aboriginal boys from around Northern Australia.

A wonderful story, packed full of humour and endearing characters
Nursery World

A good tale to read aloud...flows along with a lovely lilting rhythm
The School Librarian

A funny and entertaining tale with uproarious illustrations and hilarious rhyming text
Child Education Plus

Youngsters will find the story engaging, the vocabulary clear and the humour perfectly pitched
The Bookbag

A wonderfully silly book. Recommended.
Bookbag

A lovely rhyming book that's fun to read aloud.
Bournemouth Daily Echo

Uproarious illustrations and hilarious rhyming text.
Child Education