{"product_id":"maya-the-bear-makes-a-friend-9781961078741","title":"Maya the Bear Makes a Friend","description":"\u003cp\u003eDeep in the misty forests of Admiralty Island in Alaska, young Maya the bear loves exploring hidden paths and quiet places. One day, she senses something unusual-someone else is nearby. Through the trees, she spots a little girl, and the girl sees her too. Neither moves. Neither speaks. They simply stare, curious and a little unsure, wondering how this surprising meeting could be happening.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut before they can take a step toward each other... what will happen next? Will the forest stay calm, or will their grown-ups discover them? Will Maya and the girl inch closer, or will something stop them? Discover what happens as their mysterious moment unfolds, and see how one surprising meeting in the forest might grow into a very special friendship.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book marks the first publication for both Nancy and Lola. Together, they form a unique aunt-and-niece author duo whose adventure began during a 2016 visit to Pack Creek, a special place for bear watching. To keep Lola entertained while watching the bears, they imagined a story about one curious cub. Lola named her Maya-and the character was born. Lola also inspired the little girl on the log with the flower, making their collaboration a heartfelt blend of family, creativity, and shared wonder.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eO'Hara, Nancy:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - Nancy Shaw O'Hara is a former engineering and manufacturing business owner from Naples, Florida. She has been married to her husband for 35 years and is the proud mother of two children and grandmother of one. With a love for family, adventure, and storytelling, Nancy found joy in transforming a real-life moment in nature into her first published book. Maya the Bear Makes a Friend is her debut as an author, created in a special collaboration with her niece, Lola.\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eGarcia, Lola:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - Lola Garcia is a high school junior at Seacrest Country Day School in Naples, Florida. She is an artist, a volleyball player, and a creative storyteller. Maya the Bear Makes a Friend is Lola's first publication, inspired by her 2016 visit to Pack Creek with her aunt, Nancy. During their bear-watching adventure, Lola imagined a curious cub she named Maya-sparking the story that became this book. The little girl on the log with the flower was inspired by Lola herself, making her artwork and imagination an important part of Maya's world.","brand":"Springer Literary House LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51830484107538,"sku":"9781961078741","price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_24a38003-a089-445a-996d-c0856a4200aa.jpg?v=1767004085","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/maya-the-bear-makes-a-friend-9781961078741","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}