The Bear Went Over the Mountain is a 1996 novel by American author William Kotzwinkle. The movie rights for the book were optioned to the Jim Henson Company.
Arthur Bramhall isolates himself in a forest cabin to write a novel. Once it is complete, he goes off to buy champagne in celebration, after first burying the manuscript to protect it from fire. In his absence, a bear digs up the manuscript. The bear reads the work, decides it is good, and brings it to New York City, where he is accepted as a talented author and desirable party guest.
The book was nominated for the 1997 World Fantasy Award.