الدب والقط البري

by Kazumi Yumoto, Komako Sakai (Illustrator ), مؤسسة تامر للتعليم المجتمعي (Publisher )

This originally Japanese book tells the story of a bear that could not stand the idea of separating from his best friend, the bird. Instead he holds him in a box wherever he goes. Suddenly he meets a cat that plays the violin, which convinces the bear to play the drum to compensate for the loss of his friend. They both travel to play music for others who need it.

Genres: Picture Books, Grief, Death, Animals, Childrens, Friendship, Japan

Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Japanese: 湯本 香樹実

Kazumi Yumoto was born in Tokyo, Japan in 1959. She studied music composition at Tokyo College. Her books, mostly novels for older children, have won numerous international awards.

Reviews

[Repellent Boy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Llevo un año retrasando la lectura de este breve cuentito escrito por Kazumi Yumoto e ilustado por Komako Sakai. Kazumi Yumoto es una de mis autoras favoritas y esta obra era la última de las que tenemos publicadas en español de ella que me faltaba por leer, por lo cual no quería llegar al punto de no tener nada más nuevo de ella que descubrir.

Pese a que "El oso y el gato salvaje" es un cuento infantil, Kazumi explora los mismos temas que en el resto de sus novelas: la muerte, la pérdida, el duelo y el amor. En esta historia, un tierno oso se enfrenta a la muerte de su compañero de vida, un alegre pajarito. Mientras está afrontando su duelo, conocerá a un gato.

Kazumi Yumoto es un autora especial, pocas consiguen despertar en mí esa mezcla de sentimientos tristes y bonitos a la vez. Siempre habla de la muerte desde un punto de vista bastante real, sin restarle importancia, pero dándole ese toque de superación, ese sentimiento de que la vida sigue pese a todo, que aún quedan cosas bonitas por vivir.

Me gusta especialmente ver como sus personajes tienen un primer encontronazo con la muerte y como la autora presenta los diferentes tipos de duelo. En el caso de este cuentito, el vacío que siente el oso, no sabe como volver a llenarlo, aferrándose al recuerdo de los días vividos con su amigo. El gato servirá de sabio consejero.

El cuento es una delicia que se lee en unos minutos, las ilustraciones son muy bonitas, y a la vez algo perturbadoras. Ahora sí que sí, tengo leído todo lo publicado por Kazumi en español. ¡Cómo me gustaría que tradujeran más cositas suyas!

[Viv JM · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exceptionally beautiful children's book - a quiet meditation on grief and loneliness, with a gently uplifting conclusion. Gorgeous.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dealing with loss and grief is never easy, but picture books such as this one can help. Bear is bereft after the death of his friend, a little bird. He wishes to move back time to yesterday when they were both alive, healthy, and sharing a meal. To honor his friend, he puts the bird inside a make-shift coffin filled with flowers as a tribute, and carries the box around with him. When the other animals ask to see what's inside the box, Bear shows them, but they aren't able to understand his grief or why he wants to carry the box around with him. Their comments aren't helpful at all, and he withdraws even further, isolating himself in his house. Eventually, time passes, and Bear decides to take a walk in the bright sun. When he meets a wildcat, he hesitantly opens the box, and to his surprise, the wildcat understands how he is feeling. The wildcat plays a tune on his violin, and somehow memories of his time with the little bird flood Bear's heart, and he remembers so many wonderful moments. Wildcat helps him bury the box and place a marker, and then invites him to join him on the road. Although Bear has never even considered such a move, he decides that it's time for a change. He accepts an old tambourine that Wildcat has carried in his sack, and the two new friends set off on a new journey, making music, making memories, and making a new way forward. What a lovely way to discuss losing someone important and finally finding someone who understands those feelings! The language used to tell this story is quietly exquisite with a rare awareness of how loss affects someone as are the illustrations, created with smudged charcoal or linotype, and relying on a somber, understated palette. This one is memorable and heart-healing.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Éste bonito y emotivo, pero sumamente triste cuento infantil, narra como el oso protagonista pierde a su mejor amigo pájaro. He ahí que decide enterrarlo. El osito se siente triste, hasta que un día deja de ‘refugiarse’, sale afuera y conoce a un compasivo gato; el cual tiene cosas en común con él.
La desgarradora a la vez que dulce historia, trata sobre la pérdida, la fase de luto y el avance vital, con el resurgir de una nueva esperanza.
No podía ser de otros autores que japoneses: reflexivo, delicado, cadencioso y desolador. Sus ilustraciones son en blanco y negro (con algo de color cuando la narración lo precisa), entre el carboncillo y el crayón. Parecen extraídas de un cinematógrafo antiguo, resaltando la melancólica belleza dramática de una auténtica joya de cuento.
Llega y emociona, mucho. Una auténtica maravilla que hace llorar el alma.

[Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

One morning, Bear was crying. His best friend, a little bird, was dead. Not able to understand nor wanting to face the loss, he shuts off from the outside world within his house and lets grief consume him. It is also when Spring arrives that ventures outside only to come across a wildcat who music rekindles the love that Bear held for bird and he is able to move on to his next adventure.

How people are able to capture and share the idea of grief and the coping that can come afterwards with such poetry in both words and pictures is beyond me. The illustrations, almost like woodcuts in their charcoal format are almost dream-like in their quality and the words are short, concise...touching. It's a perfect little book.

[Stephanie Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

brb crying in the mailroom

[Jean Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautiful picture book about grief. The illustrations are striking in their simple honesty: not afraid to depict the stiff, dead bird, its casket, or burial. But I found its study of grief too clear cut and wanting. The Bear, who has lost his friend the bird, finds a new friend the wildcat who allows him to grieve and listens to him. But the grief is neatly folded up and put away once the Bear tells his story and forges a new friendship with the Wildcat.

Grief is confusing and riddled with a sense of guilt - when you laugh you ask yourself- how could you possibly be able to feel happiness after a loss? when depressed, you feel guilty for not being stronger. When you are numb, you ask yourself why can't I feel? And it never fully leaves it can't be put behind us in a neat box or shoved into our hearts to remain always quiet and calm. Children need to hear this- They probably already know it and need reassurance that it's true and it's ok to feel all the inner turmoil that comes with loss.

Perhaps I'm asking too much of a picture book but I wanted more from it. I Felt like it was almost there; Perhaps some nuances were lost in its translation.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect. I cannot stop reading it.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are quite a few picture books that try to explain grief to children. This is one of the better ones.

[J.D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un bello retrato sobre el duelo, el silencio, el recuerdo y la música.

[Kim Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this astonishingly beautiful picture story book smacks of the finest attention to detail. From the finite and thoughtfully used colour palate to the page layout, including wordless illustrations and illustration-less text, this book demonstrates a deep care and understanding of grief and a technical excellence that highlights this understanding yet doesn't overplay its role. It's a journey from the devastation of grief to an acceptance of loss and how friendship can help us move forward. The title and the cover both ask and answer questions for the observant reader. The title refers to a wildcat and a bear yet the cover illustration shows a bear and bird. Where's the wildcat? Why the bird? The bear is looking forward while the bird is perched on his shoulder looking backwards. A clue to what is to come. And your curiosity is piqued.

The illustration on the title page adds to sense of beauty and curiosity. The bird, rendered in the book's predominant colours of black and white, lies dead. It's a peaceful yet poignant opening. Close inspection shows a single thread of pink ribbon tied to its tail feathers; a colour motif of hope that is used beautifully throughout the book.

As with many truly thoughtful books on grief, death occurs early in the telling. In this case, on the first page. For the reader this serves two purposes. It captures your attention instantly and, within the storyline, it allows you to move with the protagonist, in this case the bear, through his grief and loss to his re-emergence in to the world, which has been made richer by his journey.

One of the hallmarks of truly great picture story books lies in the partnership between the writer and the illustrator. Kazumi Yumoto, Komako Sakai's partnership is pitch perfect.

[Altay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of my new hobby of collecting picture books as an affordable way of obtaining art books. This one really hit hard, constantly surprised at how much emotion can be contained in something so small.

[Trisha Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why I chose this book: I asked our Early Literacy Librarian to order this book. I totally forgot about it when it came in. When she asked me if I wanted to read it, I said not right now. She told me there was a bear in it and I was like, okay. I immediately remembered it when I saw the cover because of the distinctive artwork. I watned to read the book becasue of that beautiful, simple artwork and because there is both a bear and a bird on the cover.

Brief summary: This quiet picture book is a title for a specific moment in life as it deals with the loss of a friend. The narrative does so beautifully, but it wouldn't be the type of book you'd pick up for any ordinary storytime or lap reading moment as it will break your heart and make you weep, but it doesn't do so without building you back up again.

What I like about this book: The charcoal artwork lends so much to the mood of this story. The illustrations are all black with the exception of a few splashes of color when the story necessitates it. The narrative expresses the pain of grief, in particular the pain when others don't know how to respond. I love how this story could help a young reader see the contrast between unhelpful responses and helpful responses to grief and I love that the emotional story wraps up with closure and hope.

[Calista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a great story about dealing with grief. This was powerful. This is originally from Japan so of course, they know how to use simplicity to garner enormous emotions.

The artwork is all black and white. It looks like charcoal drawings possibly. There is a circle that all the art is in. It's beautiful and fuzzy.

We meet bear who's best friend just died, Bird. He builds a box to place him in and he goes around carrying him. People ask what's in the box and he shows them. They are uncomfortable and they leave. Bear is grieving.

Then he meets Bobcat, a traveling musician. Magic happens in such a simple way. When you've experienced the same pain, it's easier to comfort someone else in their pain.

The book is a wonder. The text is simple and lovely prose.

Great for a child dealing with Grief. Happy kids probably won't respond to this.

[zOdAê aKAê · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bird and Bear are best of friends. One day, Bird passes away. Bear is filled with grief and memories of his friend Bird. One day while he is out, he meets a stranger who helps him work through his grief and move forward with his life.

This book has beautiful illustrations (mostly black and white), talks about the hardship of loss, and teaches readers about moving through grief instead of trying to bypass this. This story ends with a beautiful moving forward with life for Bear instead of Bear "forgetting" and moving on without his beloved Bird.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I selected several books to read from a NYT article about picture books to help young readers cope with grief. I had already read and reviewed A Walk in the Woods and if any of these were as good, I wanted to experience them.

This one was very good also. The paper is a thick kind of card stock in a wider horizontal orientation. The artwork appears to be some kind of etching with no color (although there is a slight hint of pink towards the end). The story is of the “it will get better” vein. It is told in a fable way through animals.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a tough topic in our society. This beautifully illustrated picture book might be better for an older child as the images are more muted, it's more meditative. Bear grieves upon the death of his friend Bird and needs to feel his sadness.
When things change, they do. There's no timeline, it's incremental, there's help.
Lovely and hopeful.

[Connie T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear grieves for a long time after the passing of his best friend, Bird. The other animals tell him he needs to forget Bird; he needs to move on. Then Bear meets Wildcat who helps him remember the happy moments he had with Bird. Wildcat offers Bear friendship and a new path forward. Dark, somber drawings set the mood.

[Chris Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Gecko Press seem determined to break me today. Alright then, fine. A beautiful book about grief, with some of the loveliest art ever to illustrate it and an ending that’s hopeful and positive rather than a forced, glib resolution. An exquisite book

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear finds solace in happy memories and new adventures following the death of his best friend, a little bird.

This book ends on an upbeat note as it gently navigates grief, but definitely tugs at the heartstrings. Kids and adults alike will be comforted by this story.

[GS Dachslove · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different book about dealing with death...doesn't dance around the death like some books. It's just right there in your face, but still sweet and meaningful. Maybe especially for a child that has already lost someone or something.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful illustrations. Even though I like to pretend that death is not real and no one's bird will ever die, it is and they do- and this just puts it right out there, without any softening of the blow. But... in a way that feels right and appropriate.

[Vika Reads Occasionally · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the book jacket: "One morning, Bear was crying. His best friend, a little bird, was dead."

A small but unexpectedly direct, moving, and impactful story about grief. It reminds us how lonely the grieving process is and how good it feels to finally be seen.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bear is sad because his friend little bird has died. Bear struggles with his grief. One day he meets a wild cat who understands and helps him. looks like a book from 100 years ago, but it is from 2008.

[Giulie · Rating 5 out of 5]

chorei

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

😭😭😭😭😭

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional picture book on dealing with grief and mourning. The woodcut like illustrations are so very beautiful. Made me cry.

[Carlos · Rating 4 out of 5]

On death and grief. May be too poignant for the very young. Happy ending, beautifully illustrated.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that this story shows grief isn't easy to understand or to feel but that some people do understand and can help navigate those feelings.

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, picture books are for grown-ups, too.