Meet ‘ittle Bear
Fostering Curiosity, Courage, and Compassion in Children Everywhere
Once upon a time…
Tucked inside a suitcase flying over oceans and mountains, a little bear traveled the world with her Big Person.
She peeked out from backpacks in Buenos Aires, perched atop conference tables in Suzhou, and snuggled into coat pockets in Stockholm.
As Big Person spent days in meetings and technical reviews, she often daydreamed:
"What would 'ittle Bear do if she could hop out and explore on her own?"
"What would she see? What would she eat? Who would she meet?"
These daydreams grew and grew, until one day, after a particularly frustrating session of "team building" and "intercultural training," Big Person decided it was time to stop dreaming and start doing.
That's how the 'ittle Bear Books were born!
Our mission?
To open children's eyes (and hearts!) to the wonders of international travel, the joy of crossing borders, and the beauty of experiencing different cultures, cuisines, languages, and ways of living.
We want kids and even the adults reading with them to see differences not with fear or judgment, but with curiosity, wonder, and respect.
To help children experience the wonderful world of differences, teaching emotional intelligence to be comfortable in our own uniqueness, knowledge and security when we encounter others who are different.
'ittle Bear shows how every day in a new place is a chance to be brave, curious, and kind.
Our stories are designed for young adventurers ages 4 to 8 (but younger ones will love being read to, and we think even grown-ups might learn a little something along the way!).
We believe learning should be fun, playful, and full of laughter, not heavy lectures or boring theories.
After all, when was the last time you saw a child get excited about "conflict management frameworks"?
'ittle Bear's Adventures are built on a few Big Ideas:
Intercultural Communication
From Big Person's days studying and working across the world, we learned that what seems "strange" in one place is often "normal" somewhere else!
Using tools like Erin Meyer's Culture Map, Geert Hofstede's Dimensions of Culture, and Jörg Wittwer's I Am the Monkey, 'ittle Bear's stories show real misunderstandings that travelers might experience. With her superpowers of Curiosity, Courage, and Compassion — and a little help from her cultural guides and Big Person — 'ittle Bear learns how to navigate differences with kindness and a smile.
Positive Psychology
When Big Person first read Dr. Carol Dweck's Mindset, it changed everything. Learning isn't about being "good" at something right away. It's about trying, practicing, and growing! 'ittle Bear helps kids see that making mistakes, trying new things, and working hard are all part of the adventure.
Every story weaves in the power of the Growth Mindset — and lessons inspired by amazing thinkers like Martin Seligman, Brené Brown, Angela Duckworth, Adam Grant, Amy Edmondson, and Thupten Jinpa.
A Little Language Lesson
Sometimes, Big Person visits schools where children giggle at her "funny" Swedish. She smiles and says, "When someone sounds different in a language, it means they learned another one first!"
Together, they celebrate the courage it takes to speak new languages and the magic of being understood, no matter how you sound.
So pack your bags (and your imagination!) and come along on 'ittle Bear's adventures around the world — where every difference is a discovery, every new word is a treasure, and every day is a chance to learn, laugh, and grow.
Let's see the world together — the 'ittle Bear way!