Many children know of Henry Bear as the young hero of Henry Bear's Park, David McPhail's well-loved children's book, originally published in the spring of 1976. The toy and bookstore Henry Bear's Park, named with the author's permission, opened that same spring on Huron Ave. in Cambridge.

Henry Bear's Park tells the story of Henry Bear, whose father purchases the town park, just before departing for parts unknown in his balloon. Henry Bear, along with his raccoon friend Stanley, is left in charge of the park, and they perform their caretaking with loving diligence. That is, until Henry Bear begins to long for the return of his father and starts to neglect his duties at the park. With an unexpected twist, father and son are reunited, and the park is restored to its former order.