Illustration of Doodle, Bug & Bear Press’s sketch-loving mascot, drawing at a desk with a smile—illustrating one of our rhyming picture books.

Every Story Connects & Gives Back

Every Bug & Bear book is part of a bigger story.
Some connect in wild ways. Some spark brand-new ideas.
All are powered by imagination—and right now, during the Painting Grace launch, they’re connecting to something even bigger: our Story Shapers’ communities.

Through September 5th, 75% of ALL Painting Grace royalties go straight to the schools selected by our Story Shapers.

So explore the series. Find your family’s next favorite.
And know that every story you buy helps shape the next one—and supports a local cause along the way.

Presenting

Book Five: Faye’s Foil

Faye’s Foil isn’t your ordinary “girl power” book.
It’s a story of breaking expectations and what it means to be seen on your own terms.

Faye is a firefly. A fencer. A rule-follower.
She trains hard, plays safe, and does everything right—until Bea shows up.

Bea’s light is different.  She glows on her own terms and shoots at her own targets, teaching us that understanding is more valuable than accomplishing.

Suddenly, Faye finds herself facing her new opponent: choice.

Does she follow the comfortable, safe path for which she was trained?
Or does she step out of the spotlight and into her future?

This is a picture book for every girl who’s tired of playing the part—and ready to own their role.

Behind the Story

Faye’s Foil is personal.

It’s the first co-created book from Bug & Bear Press, shaped by our readers, through our Creativity Challenges.
It’s almost poetic that a story about breaking expectations is the one that cracked open a new model of shared storytelling.

I would’ve never written a book about a fencing firefly. Ever.
But I’m in love with Faye and Bea. And I’m forever grateful to the readers who sparked them into existence.

This book is for anyone who’s ever been Faye:  Training to follow, to please, to play someone else’s game.

Bea doesn’t ask for permission. She just shines.
And in doing so, she shows Faye—and every reader—
that winning isn’t about applause, itt’s about authenticity.

The prize isn’t in the trophy, the prize is in the choice.

Because the real victory is the moment you stop performing and start becoming.

Story Shapers!

Theme Team

Tula Sulcer

Age 15

Idaho Falls, ID

“This silly little bug is representing Flyville in the Bug-lympics and if he hits the target, Flyville wins a trip around the world.”

Sketch-Off

Shalini Ayre

Age 57

Cambridge, MA

Word Weaver

Michael Rainey

Age 57

Boise, ID

“Masters in the art of fencing,
Fireflies serve their king defensing.
En garde.”

Inside the Book!