by Erin L. Sponaugle (Author), Erin L. Sponaugle (Illustrator)
Berkeley is a black bear living in the Monongahela Forest with his Sugar Maple Friends. He is content to represent his beloved state of West Virginia from his forest home, until the day his favorite park rangers ask him to be the state travel bear. Berkeley learns to have confidence in his abilities as he tries new things traveling the Mountain State, introducing children to the most beautiful and historic places in West Virginia. His Sugar Maple Friends - each representing a state symbol and county in West Virginia - are there to support Berkeley each step of the way. Erin Sponaugle, the 2014 West Virginia Teacher of the Year, uses an endearing storyline and full page illustrations to instill the values of state pride, friendship, and self confidence in young readers.