New Release

Armchair Bear

Name: Armchair Bear
Brand: HarperCollins New Zealand
SKU: 9798348042417
Price: 27.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

By Gavin Bishop

0.0 (0 reviews)

Brief Description

In this delightful picture book, a big soft bear tries to get his puff back by becoming as strong as a gorilla, until his niblings remind him what matters most for a bear. Uncle Norman loves to rest on his squashy sofa. But when the young... Read More

Format: Hardback

$27⁹⁹

Elsewhere:

~~$29⁹⁹~~

OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

Armchair Bear

$27⁹⁹

Elsewhere:

~~$29⁹⁹~~

BOARD GAMES 23 Oct 2026

The Team's Long Weekend Reading

With the long weekend upon us, the team is hopefully getting some time in the...

AMELIA'S CORNER 23 Oct 2026

What Actually Makes a Jigsaw Puzzle Difficult?

Does more pieces always mean a harder puzzle? Not necessarily! After Dylan surprised me by...

A Court of Splintered Harmony: How to Get Your Copy on Release Day

A Court of Splintered Harmony is almost here, and we have some exciting news for...

ACOTAR 22 Oct 2026

The ACOTAR Countdown Is On, But We Need to Talk…

Last week, things started taking a dark turn. The excitement surrounding the release was suddenly...

GRAPHIC NOVEL 22 Oct 2026

Pick up a Graphic Novel for Halloween

Wanting something different for spooky season? Try a horror themed graphic novel! Lizzy has rounded...

Description

In this delightful picture book, a big soft bear tries to get his puff back by becoming as strong as a gorilla, until his niblings remind him what matters most for a bear.

Uncle Norman loves to rest on his squashy sofa. But when the young bears visit, he's all out of puff! He can't play bear games like he used to. He doesn't take the young bears on picnics. He's no fun anymore. So when Norman notices an ad for the gym, he sets out to become a new bear. And when he encounters the mighty Gorilla Dilla, he decides to aim for the top. He too can be a powerful champion! But can a bear be a gorilla? Lifting weights turns out to be no fun for a bear. Instead, the young bears help Norman find his own way to the top.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9798348042417

Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 06 October 2026

Country: United States

Imprint: Gecko Press

Illustration: Illustrations, color

Contributors:

Illustrated by Gavin Bishop

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 260.0mm

Height: 248.0mm

Weight: 350g

Pages: 32

Collections

Best Sellers at Book Hero Children's Books Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Gavin Bishop Gift Finder Gifts for 4 year olds Gifts for 5 year olds Gifts for 6 to 7 year olds Gifts for 8 to 9 year olds Gifts under $100 Gifts under $30 Gifts under $50 In Stock Books In stock Children's Books In Stock Kid's Books New Release Books New Release Children's Books Young Adult

About the Author

Gavin Bishop ONZM, Tainui, Ngati Awa, is a leading Maori illustrator living in Christchurch, New Zealand. He has published more than seventy books internationally, which have been translated into twelve languages. His awards include the Sir Kingi Ihaka award for lifetime contribution to Maori art and culture.

Also by Gavin Bishop

View all

Wildlife of Aotearoa Colouring Book

Wildlife of Aotearoa Colouring Book by Gavin Bishop invites children and adults alike to embark on an artistic journey through the majestic landscapes and diverse wildlife of New Zealand. This captivating 64-page colouring book showcases intricate illustrations that celebrate the natural beauty of Aotearoa, the Māori name for New Zealand. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage and ecological wonders of...

By Gavin Bishop

Paperback

$12⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$12⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
Atua

Atua by Gavin Bishop is a visually stunning and meticulously researched compendium that introduces readers to the rich mythological tapestry of the Māori people of Aotearoa (New Zealand). This breathtaking, large-scale illustrated book is a treasure trove for children and adults alike, immersing them in the enthralling world of Māori gods, demigods, and heroes. Beginning with the void of Te...

By Gavin Bishop

Hardback

$33⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$40⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
On Sale
18% off

Amazing Aotearoa Activity Book

Discover the vibrant world of Aotearoa New Zealand with the richly engaging Amazing Aotearoa Activity Book by Gavin Bishop. This delightful activity book offers over 60 captivating games, puzzles, and activities that invite children to explore the heritage, culture, and natural beauty of New Zealand in an interactive and educational manner. Inspired by Gavin Bishop's acclaimed books Aotearoa: The New...

By Gavin Bishop

Paperback

$18⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$25⁰⁰~~

(1)

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
Taniwha

The amazing Gavin Bishop brings us a monster-sized book about the mythical monsters of Aotearoa! Award-winning weaver of stories Gavin Bishop retells a variety of tales about the taniwha of Aotearoa, from the guardians who accompanied waka voyages to present-day inhabitants of the whenua and moana. Taniwha are all around us. They are good at hiding or changing their shape....

By Gavin Bishop

Hardback

$31⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$40⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
Matariki

This bilingual board book for young children shares the meaning behind each star in the Matariki cluster, created by award-winning author Gavin Bishop. An essential bilingual board book explaining the meaning of each Matariki star, with beautiful artwork by award-winning author Gavin Bishop. When the Matariki cluster rises, each of the nine stars represents the promise of the year ahead....

By Gavin Bishop

Board book

$13⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$15⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
On Sale
11% off

The Gavin Bishop Treasury

The Gavin Bishop Treasury is a very special hardback collection of 10 classic children's stories for young readers to treasure, written and illustrated by the multiple-award-winning New Zealand author Gavin Bishop. Comprising over two hundred pages of fabulous storytelling and stunning artwork, children will be spellbound by this beautiful hardback gift treasury featuring ten favourite fairy tales and original stories...

By Gavin Bishop

Hardback

$32⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$39⁹⁹~~

(1)

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
Aotearoa

Aotearoa, by Gavin Bishop, is a masterfully crafted visual history that invites readers to dive into the rich and dynamic narrative of New Zealand. This extraordinary book spans from the inception of our planet with the Big Bang, through to the possible futures of Aotearoa, engaging readers with its beautifully detailed and lush illustrations. Bishop's storytelling prowess shines as he...

By Gavin Bishop

Hardback

$32⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$40⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
Patu

A large-format, stunning visual history of the New Zealand Wars of the 1800s, suitable for children and adults, by the multiple-award-winning Gavin Bishop. Discover the key people, perspectives and battles of the New Zealand Wars in this award-winning, powerfully told and richly illustrated visual history by Gavin Bishop. Auē! Te mamae! Navigate the defining moments of the wars, visit the...

By Gavin Bishop

Hardback

$34⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$40⁰⁰~~

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks
The House That Jack Built

The House That Jack Built is a book with two strands. The main rhythmic text, based on the well-known rhyme, tells the story of Jack Bull, who travels to New Zealand from London as a new settler in 1798. The illustrations tell the story from a Māori perspective—beginning with the creation story of Papatūānuku and Ranginui and showing the changing...

By Gavin Bishop

Paperback

$21⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$22⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
Mihi

Mihi is a simple book to share with babies, allowing them to explore their whānau and their place in the world. With repeating colours and shapes, it illustrates the connections between waka, mountain, iwi, through to māmā, pāpā, and the baby reader. This book serves as an introduction for children of any age to their own pepeha—and to the concept...

By Gavin Bishop

Board book

$17⁹⁹

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
Kiwi Moon

Created by well-known children's writer and illustrator Gavin Bishop, this is the story of a little white kiwi. When he is born, his mother doesn't recognise him because he's not brown. Little Kiwi looks to the moon as his mother instead because it is white and bright and round. In the background of this story, we see the changing times...

By Gavin Bishop

Paperback

$19⁹⁹

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
Wildlife of Aotearoa

Wildlife of Aotearoa by Gavin Bishop takes readers on an extraordinary journey through the diverse and unique natural habitats of New Zealand, showcasing the remarkable flora and fauna that inhabit this beautiful land. This stunningly illustrated volume offers an immersive experience, weaving together intricate illustrations with compelling narratives that bring New Zealand's wild treasures to life. Through the pages, you'll...

By Gavin Bishop

Hardback

$34⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$40⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships Tuesday

More from Children's Books

View all

New Release

Fight or Flight: Diary of a Wimpy Kid (21)

When the going gets tough, what’s a wimpy kid to do? In Fight or Flight, Greg Heffley faces his biggest challenge yet as he becomes a target for the school bully. Luckily for Greg, his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, takes karate, so at least Greg’s got someone in his corner. But an unexpected twist makes Greg realize he’s facing an uphill...

By Jeff Kinney

Paperback

$16⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$21⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
New Release

Gruffalo Granny

The brand new Gruffalo picture book from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day, "Your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay." Return to the deep dark wood with the first new Gruffalo story in over 20 years, and meet Gruffalo Granny as she visits the Gruffalo family. This fresh and exciting new Gruffalo adventure...

By Julia Donaldson

Hardback

$24⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$30⁰⁰~~

(3)

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
New Release

The Sixth Faction

Beatrice Prior stands on the brink of a decision every person in her world must make: five factions, five futures, five lives. She has a plan: she's going to make the bravest choice, and leave Abnegation behind to join Dauntless, even though it means leaving her family behind. But when tragedy strikes at her Choosing Ceremony, everything changes—her world, her...

By Veronica Roth

Paperback

$29⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$34⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
New Release

Detective Beans Colouring Club

Help Detective Beans solve the case of the missing colours! Join the Colouring Club now! Join the Detective Beans Colouring Club! Inside you'll find 40 removable colouring pages featuring scenes from all over Cat Town. Filled with all the characters you know and love from the Detective Beans graphic novels like Biscuits, Beans' mum, Mr Brickle, Bear, Detective Baby Bird...

By Li Chen

Paperback

$17⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$21⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
New Release

Wahine

From a majestic mermaid to a clay woman, the creator of glaciers to the mother of gardening, discover powerful wahine and how their stories shaped the world around us. Wahine introduces readers to twelve purakau of brave, bold, and inspiring women of Aotearoa. A beautifully illustrated collection that will delight the whole whanau, from award-winning illustrator Isobel Joy Te Aho-White....

By Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Hardback

$31⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$39⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
New Release

Lottie Brooks’s Twelve Disasters of Christmas

From hilarious MEGA bestselling author, Katie Kirby, comes a new story collection from the world of Lottie Brooks! But this time... it's not about Lottie! From hilarious MEGA bestselling author, Katie Kirby, comes a new story collection from the world of Lottie Brooks! And it's CHRISTMAS! In The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks we spent the holiday season with...

By Katie Kirby

Paperback

$17⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$21⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
On Sale
21% off
New Release

Matihe! Achoo!

What happens when a grumpy tupua has to sneeze? Matihe! Achoo! is a bilingual story about the tupua Mataoho and his connection to the volcanoes of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. It comes with an action song to engage young readers! He pūrākau e pā ana ki a Mataoho me ngā puia o Takamaki Makaurau. He tupua pukukino a Mataoho e noho...

By Qiane Matata-Sipu

Paperback

$15⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$21⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
The Sweet As Looky Book

Can you find all the chocolate fish? Is it possible for kiwi to fly? Can you spot the difference? See Aotearoa New Zealand through the eyes of award-winning artist Donovan Bixley in The Sweet As Looky Book. Use your finest skills to seek out pirates in the Bay of Islands and birds in Rakiura Stewart Island. Get in a car...

By Donovan Bixley

Hardback

$22⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$27⁹⁹~~

Backorder
Ships late October
New Release

Pocket Observology

Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...

By Giselle Clarkson

Paperback

$23⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$27⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
New Release

The Day of the Dinosaur Disaster

Angry anacondas, blizzarding blobs, carnivorous cactuses ... what kind of twisted curse will Glam-Evil think up this time?!Only it's not just Glam-Evil's curse the gang needs to worry about; they've got a few other problems, too. Swooping Pteranodons, a hungry T-Rex, a missing mother, and ... is that ... an ASTEROID?!Join MILES AND JONES as they face their biggest challenge...

By Sam Smith

Paperback

$14⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$14⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
On Sale
15% off
New Release

The Neverfear

A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...

By Katherine Rundell

Paperback

$17⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$22⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships Tuesday
New Release

Mari the Unwonderful Witch

A charming, cosy and thought-provoking tale about a wonderfully unconventional little witch, by bestselling author of BUTTER, Asako Yuzuki. Perfect for fans of WICKED, KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE, and THE HATMAKERS series by Tamzin Merchant - and anyone who likes an enchanting adventure with just a hint of mischief. Mari the Unwonderful Witch introduces us to Mari, an eleven-year-old witch who...

By Asako Yuzuki

Paperback

$19⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$24⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships Tuesday

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.