Author-illustrator Katie Dwyer‘s BEAR’S FRIEND, following a bear who proudly introduces his new friend—a rock—to the forest animals, only to face doubt when the others don’t understand their bond; about friendship, self-acceptance, and staying true to the ones we love, to Nicole Fox at RISE x Penguin Workshop, for publication in fall 2027, by Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency (world).