Two Sisters. One Baylor Adventure.
Body Text: Join Judge Indy and Judge Belle for a day of splashing, climbing, learning, and sharing every special moment together.
Inside the Book
Discover The Bear Sisters of Baylor
Meet Indy and
Belle
Get to know Baylor’s real bear sisters through their different personalities, favorite activities, and playful bond
Share a Day of Adventure
Follow the sisters as they swim, climb, explore, search for treats, practice, and rest together beneath the Texas sky.
Learn About Black Bears
Discover memorable facts about bear behavior, food, intelligence, conservation, enrichment, and responsible animal care.
Inspired by Baylor’s Real Bear Ambassadors
Meet Indy and Belle
Judge Indy and Judge Belle are real American black bears who live at the Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat at Baylor University. Although the sisters have different personalities, they spend their days swimming, climbing, exploring, practicing with their trainers, and searching for hidden treats. Their story introduces children to the joy of friendship while showing how thoughtful care, enrichment, and patience help animals remain healthy, active, and curious.
A Story Children Can See, Feel, and Remember
The Bear Sisters of Baylor follows Indy and Belle from a peaceful Texas morning to bedtime beneath the stars. Children watch the sisters race toward the water, climb sturdy logs, explore their habitat, and rest together when the afternoon grows warm. The story is paired with approachable facts about American black bears, including what they eat, how they climb and swim, and how they use their intelligence and powerful sense of smell. Every page gives children something new to notice, discuss, and remember.
Meet Kathryn Willis
Kathryn Willis is a Waco native and a Baylor University student majoring in Special Education. She is an active member of the Baylor Chamber of Commerce and serves as a Lead Trainer at the Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat. Kathryn helps care for Judge Indy and Judge Belle by supporting their daily health, enrichment, training, and activity. Her firsthand connection with the bears shaped the details, setting, and affectionate tone of The Bear Sisters of Baylor. She wrote the book to introduce children to Baylor’s real bear ambassadors while encouraging curiosity, kindness, conservation, and respect for animals.
What Awaits Inside the Book
Discover a children’s story shaped by real bears, Baylor tradition, friendship, animal care, and memorable learning.
Meet Two Real Bears
Explore the Bear Habitat
Share Their Adventures
Learn Black Bear Facts
Understand Animal Care
Celebrate Friendship
Readers Reviews
Readers Love the Bear Sisters
Families and young readers share their thoughts on the friendship, charm, and joyful adventures found in The Bear Sisters of Baylor.
“A sweet introduction to Judge Indy and Judge Belle. The story captures their different personalities while celebrating the friendship that makes every part of their day more enjoyable.”
“The combination of storytelling and real bear facts makes this a wonderful choice for home or classroom reading. Children enjoy the adventure while learning about wildlife care.”
“The familiar Baylor setting makes this book especially meaningful. It offers families a lovely way to share the university’s bear tradition with a new generation.”
“Indy and Belle’s swimming, climbing, and search for hidden treats keep the story moving, while the educational pages give children plenty of interesting facts to remember.”