The Girl Who Speaks Bear

Winner of the Independent Bookshop Book of the Year Award and the Wales Book of the Year Award. Shortlisted for the 2021 CILIP Carnegie Medal.

Illustrated by Kathrin Honesta.

They call me Yanka the Bear. Not because of where I was found – only a few people know about that. They call me Yanka the Bear because I am so big and strong.

Found abandoned in a bear cave as a baby, Yanka has always wondered about where she is from. She tries to ignore the strange whispers and looks from the villagers, wishing she was as strong on the inside as she is on the outside. But, when she has to flee her house, looking for answers about who she really is, a journey far beyond one that she ever imagined begins: from icy rivers to smouldering mountains meeting an ever-growing herd of extraordinary friends along the way.

Interwoven with traditional stories of bears, princesses and dragons, Yanka’s journey is a gorgeously lyrical adventure from the best-selling author of The House With Chicken Legs.

“Marvelously charmed and charming.” Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“A gem of a fairy tale, Anderson’s sophomore effort offers a dynamic, memorable cast with rich personalities amid lasting messages about belonging, graceful acceptance of aid, and the power of stories.” Publisher’s Weekly, starred review

“Readers … will revel in this new fairy tale that borrows from the old to make something new.” Booklist, starred review

Available from all good bookshops, including Waterstones, Blackwells, and Hive. An audiobook, read by Katherine Press, is available from Audible.