An almost single-color picture book tracks the path of grief, ending with the uplifting new beginning of a budding friendship based on understanding. When the little bird dies, his friend the bear is inconsolable. Full of grief, he locks himself in his house and ventures out again only when the smell of young spring grass blows through his window. He always carries a small box, which he opens for no one. He meets a wildcat who understands his need to carry the box. As the cat plays on her violin, the bear remembers all the beauty he experienced with the little bird. Now he can bury his friend, keeping him alive in his memories and feelings. The Bear and the Wildcat shows a way through paralyzing grief and simultaneously tells the story of a hopeful new friendship.

"There's no book like this that I know of. It explains grief in a way that speaks to any age, with its quiet understanding of what it is like to lose someone you love. It's a beautiful book." Julia Marshall, Publisher

About the Author
Kazumi Yumoto was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1959. She studied music composition at Tokyo College and during this time wrote opera libretti and plays for radio and television. Her books, mostly novels for older children, have won numerous international awards. After graduating from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, Komako Sakai worked at a kimono textile design company. She is currently one of the most popular children's author/illustrators in Japan, and has been successfully published in the US by Chronicle Books and Arthur A. Levine books.

Reviews

"Quietly contemplative, mingling hope and healing, this is a book that will offer comfort to many."

-- Kirkus Reviews, starred review, Best Book of the Year 2023

"A touchstone for talking about loss."

-- Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A tender story and forward-looking book for children who have loved and lost."

-- Wall Street Journal, USA

"If grieving people are allowed to grieve, then they will find their way back to the joy of life - that's the message of this delicate Japanese book."

-- Hella Kemper * Die Zeit *

"This extraordinary picture book tells the story of a bear whose best friend, a small bird, has died. The reader follows Bear as he mourns his companion but also as he begins to find renewed meaning in his life following a chance encounter with a musical cat. This powerful story deals with one of life's most complicated and painful aspects with delicacy and honesty. Intricately layered pencil illustration accompanies the tale to create a story that is very moving but also filled with hope. This would be a poignant book to support discussion of bereavement with older children."

-- BookTrust

"In this touching story about grief, Bear mourns the death of his friend Bird, working his way from
being paralyzed by sadness to reengaging with the world."

-- Booklist

"A beautiful tribute to love and friendship and mourning."

-- Youth Services Book Review, US

Far and away my picture book of the year... This moving story of a bear whose best friend (a bird) has died tackles a difficult subject with sensitivity and grace.

Meg Rosoff, Saturday Times, UK

Bereavement is a difficult theme for young readers, but as death occurs in the world it should be addressed, sensitively, on the page ... Touching and otherworldly, brave in its treatment of loss, The Bear and the Wildcat is a hauntingly beautiful book.

The Independent, UK

"A modern classic."

-- The School Reading List, UK



Book Information
ISBN 9781877467707
Author Kazumi Yumoto
Format Hardback
Imprint Gecko Press
Publisher Gecko Press