Book Nook: Where, Oh Where, is Barnaby Bear?

Entrepreneur, illustrator, author and working mother Wendy Rouillard took her grandmother’s teddy bear and made it into a successful and growing business based on helping children. Her first Barnaby Bear book was written for her senior thesis, and she hand-sewed 200 Barnaby Bears to market along with the books.

The newest book takes Barnaby on a series of adventures, inviting the youngest readers along as they discovery Barnaby's whereabouts in a story with a fun rhyme and rhythm. The bright, colorful illustrations are kid-friendly and exciting, with a feel that's both nostalgic and up-to-date at the same time.

 

Wendy is also taking Barnaby to the stage. The Dreamland Theater has adapted five of her stories into a series of Barnaby plays, slated for spring 2021. She has other ventures as well. Her radio show, Kids About Town, airs on the NPR station 97.7 ACK-FM, and she writes a monthly column called “Kiddin’ Around” in Nantucket-based N Magazine.

 

Barnaby from Christo Tsiaras on Vimeo.

WENDY ROUILLARD is the Nantucket-based creator of the Barnaby Bear children’s book series. Her artwork and stories have graced many magazines, newspapers, and more than 25 children’s books. Rouillard has appeared on the Today Show, CBS News, HGTV, FOX Boston, NBC Miami, and West Orlando. Most recently, five of the Barnaby Bear books were adapted for the children’s theatrical plays at the Dreamland Theater. The Barnaby plays are slated to debut in April of 2021. For the past three years, Wendy has had her own radio show called Kids About Town on NPR’s station, 97.7 ACK FM. Wendy also writes a monthly column, Kiddin’ Around, for N Magazine. This April, she is opening the only children’s toy store on Nantucket, called Barnaby’s Toy and Art Shack to provide a hands-on learning experience for children.  For more information, visit BarnabyBear.com.