A Surprise In The Wood
By Cosetta Zanotti, Lucia Scuderi
$18.99
40 pages • HC • Ages 4–8 • 11.5” x 8.5" • ISBN: 978-1-63655-092-3 • Available April 22, 2025
A touching story of love and the true meaning of family
Mama and Papa Bear are waiting for a special delivery, which finally arrives from the heavens above, but the bear cub they receive is not quite what they—and the rest of the forest animals—were expecting
Inspired by parents who adopted a child with a debilitating genetic disease, A Surprise in the Wood exalts the love that makes a family strong despite the surprises that sometimes come its way. This powerful allegory will resonate with any parent who expected a bear cub and instead received a goldfish. It teaches to cherish the fish and immerse oneself in another’s world, whether they breathe water or air. It also celebrates the value of community, especially when they learn to embrace difference. A Surprise in the Wood is a remarkable tale that delivers a moving and relatable story packed with emotional resonance and ultimately advocates for unconditional love and acceptance as a path through adversity. A donation from sales of the book will be made to the MCT8–AHDS Foundation, which inspired the story.
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Cosetta Zanotti
Cosetta is a children's book author from Brescia, Italy. Her stories have been published widely in Italy and have been translated into numerous languages. She meets children in schools and libraries, where she develops family-enrichment projects through her storytelling. She has also curated many prestigious literary events for children across Italy. Visit Cosetta at cosettazanotti.it.
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Lucia Scuderi
Lucia is a painter and illustrator who lives in Catania on the island of Sicily. She has been illustrating books for children and teenagers for many prominent Italian publishing houses. Some of her titles have been published in France, Switzerland, Spain, Korea, the USA and China. She has received numerous awards, including the 2013 Andersen Award for best Italian illustrator. Visit her at luciascuderi.it