David Litchfield Books In Order

Publication Order of The Bear and the Piano Books

Publication Order of Picture Books

David Litchfield
David Litchfield is an award-winning illustrator and writer. He began drawing at a young age and created Star Wars and Indiana Jones comics for his big brother and sister. His work has appeared in magazines, books, T-shirts, and newspapers.

The author also exhibited his illustrations in many shows in America, U.K, and Europe. His work includes The Bear and the Piano, The Dog and the Fiddle, and Granddad’s Secret Giant, among others. Litchfield has also illustrated some picture books for writers like Andy Stanton, Ross Montgomery, and Sally Lloyd-Jones.

He also created book covers for Neil Patrick, Kate Dicamillo, among others. Litchfield lives in Bedford, England, with his family.

The Bear and the Piano
The book starts when a bear cub finds a something strange in the woods. When he touches the it, he hears terrible noise, but he keeps coming back repeatedly to try. Initially, the attempts are unsuccessful, and the piano produces very unpleasant sounds. However, something encourages him to try multiple times as he grows to become an adult.

By the time he was a grown-up bear, he was already a great and accomplished pianist. And the beautiful sounds he plays become a delight to the woodland friends. All his bear friends come every day to listen to the fantastic songs that he plays.

One day during a picnic, a girl and her father hear music coming from the woods. They are surprised by how the bear plays unique sounds in such a woody place, contented, appreciated, and applauded.

Later the bear is invited to leave the forest and come to the city and share his great sounds with new friends. The bear is reluctant about leaving the woods, but at the same time, he’s excited about the idea too. He’s so much interested in exploring the world beyond the woods, hear and see new things and play more and better than before. His only worry is that he knows that the other bears will be left sad if he leaves.
Afterward, he agrees to go to the city where he plays at big concerts with large crowds and is known as the bear that plays piano. As days pass, he feels that he has everything he needs, but later, he starts feeling lonely and realizes that money and fame are not all he wants. He actually wants to go back to his bear friends at home.

He goes back, and just when he was expecting them to be angry at him, he is surprised to find them waiting for him feeling proud of their friend.
The Bear and the Piano is an fantastic story for children, and it teaches us that no matter how much money or fame you have, everything is useless without happiness. The bear learns a lovely and straightforward lesson about friendship.

This debut from David Litchfield gives a heartfelt exploration of the meaning of having a home and family, especially for those who leave their maternal home to live in another society. The story is stunning with colors and magical incidences, and the illustration of how the bear discovers the piano in the woods is enchanting.

The book also touches on transforming the nature of music, the desire to do something more and better, and wanting to return to one’s origin. It also teaches about talent and allowing someone to be free while pursuing their dreams.

The bear was caught between two worlds: the continued ties to his home and the desire for exploration in a new world. The conflict here lies between staying with those you love and doing what you love. Can one really do both?

This incredible story also teaches that no matter where you go and what you do, your family and friends will always be there, proud and praying the best for you.

Granddad’s Secret Giant
Granddad’s Secret Giant is a story of a young boy named Billy and his Granddad living in Gableview town. Billy has always been listening to stories from his Granddad of a local giant that helps people in the town. It has hands the size of tabletops and legs extended like drainpipes, and feet are the size of a rowing boat. He discovers that his grandfather is a friend to the giant and helps him to do many tasks.

It’s very friendly and helps people in the town like saving animals and rescuing people on boats. The giant keeps bears away during camping and rescues Billy’s kite when it gets stuck on tall trees. Gableview is a friendly town that welcomes all sorts of people
However, in his mind, Billy had already assumed that giants are evil and look scary because of how big they are and other things he heard about them. One morning while Billy is taking a walk before other people wake up, he meets the fabled giant for the very first time. He’s very scared and starts running away screaming. His Granddad assures him that he’s just a person, only that he’s different.

Later Billy realizes that wasn’t the right thing to do to the giant. How can Billy make it up to the giant? I think this book is good and very useful in breaking down the stereotypes some people have by showing that they are people just like us and it’s not wrong to be different. It also promotes diversity showing that there are many kinds of people, and a person is a person regardless of their differences.

This beautiful story is all about accepting differences and not judging people by the first impression; instead, stay open to other possibilities. Litchfield encourages children to always pay attention for them to know someone better and break down barriers whose basis is preconceived notions.

What the giant wants most in the world is to fit in, connect and feel loved. It’s an easy read, fast-paced but slows enough to grasp all the detailed illustrations. I liked how Billy and his Granddad came together to prepare a present for the giant to make him feel better.