Bear and Fox book

  • “I want to go ice-fishing” said Bear.
  • Bear and Fox picture book illustration, ice-fishing and playing ice hockey in winter illustration
    “Remember when we drilled a hole in the ice last winter?” Bear asked.
  • Bear and Fox picture book illustration, starry sky and an owl in the forest
    On the first night the animals camped in a clearing in the forest.
  • Bear and Fox picture book illustration, Hedgehog, Mice, Fox and Bear crossing a river
    “North is across the river” Fox said.
  • Bear and Fox picture book illustration, forest animals looking at the happy campers
    “Don’t you worry”, Bear said. “I can growl if something disturbs us.
  • Bear and Fox picture book illustration, kayaking under the Full Moon
    Bear was excited. “It’s getting colder! We must be really close!”
  • Bear and Fox picture book illustration, the animals found a shortcut but fell in a cave
    The animals all tumbled down into Hedgehog’s home.
  • Bear and Fox picture book illustration, the animals picking mushrooms in a fall forest when a Rabbit appears
    Suddenly a Rabbit appeared. “Hello! Can I join you?” she asked.
  • Bear and Fox picture book illustration, the animals walking in a dark cave with flashlights
    “Can I come North with you so that I can get my winter sleep? asked Hedgehog.
  • Bear and Fox picture book illustration, the animals ski under the Northern Lights
    They got on skis and traveled under the beautiful Northern Lights.
  • Bear and Fox picture book illustration, party with the forest animals and a Seal
    Bear drilled a hole through the ice. ”Surprise!”
  • Bear and Fox picture book illustration, seal's nest and a seal baby
    “A Newborn Seal! It’s time for another party!”

    • Bear and Fox: The Northern Trail

    A beautiful picture book of forest animals in search of winter

    Bear and Fox: The Northern Trail picture book tells a story of forest animals looking for winter. I got the idea of a story about a bear trying to find snow after illustrating an article on species extinction for the Helsinki University magazine.

    Another illustration I made for the magazine was on the endeavour of conservation of the endangered Saimaa ringed seal in Eastern Finland. The animal needs snow to build a nest for its pups, and volunteers help by shovelling it on their nests. Even transferring seals to a lake in Lapland, northern Finland, has been suggested.
    Helsingin Sanomat daily newspaper described how birds in Finland migrate every year 1,6 km north. I wanted to create a story about striving together to build a better life for everyone. The story is about adaptation and friendship and trying to adapt to climate change.

    The story of Bear & Fox was first published as a sticker book in Finnish in 2018 and a picture book in 2019 in Finnish and Estonian, and 2022 in Korean. The story is also adapted to Sámi, a Lapp indigenous language as an ebook and a mobile game.
    I hope you enjoy reading my story of the adventure of Bear and Fox and their friends!

    – Ulla Sainio
    author, illustrator

    The Bear & Fox blog

    For international publishing rights to the book, please contact Ferly – An Entertainment Company