Bear and Bird

by James Skofield, Jennifer Thermes (Illustrator)

One spring evening an old bear finds a young bird, still learning to fly, has fallen to the ground. When the bear lifts the bird to safety, a friendship begins. Bear and Bird soon become constant companions, spending their days together, searching out berries and watching out for one another. They are only separated during the winter months when Bear hibernates and Bird flies south. As the years pass, their friendship grows stronger. Then one spring day, when Bird returns from his winter trip, Bear is not there to greet him. Days and then weeks pass and still no Bear. When Bird finally learns why his dear friend is absent, memories of their time together bring comfort and acceptance. In this tale of an unlikely but loving friendship, the cycle of life, including its joys and its sorrows, is gently explored.

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

40 pages, Hardcover

First published February 4, 2014

Reviews

[Kristy Isla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only didn't give this book 4 stars because it deals with death, and I can't really like a book about that. Book is very sweet and introduces a very hard topic to little ones.

[Eileen Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautifully written to help children understand two important things about life; friendships are important and that life will come to an end. The wording of this story will help children of all ages understand that the friendship between bear and bird was filled with happiness and love which all friendship are filled with. It also shows that sometimes friends have to go away but that we still think of them and miss them but we will one day see them again. It also talks about how we get older and can no longer do the things we once did and must slow down and eventually there is death. Yes we are sad, but we can always remember the good times we had.

This book is perfect to help children who are dealing with the loss of a loved one.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One day Bear helps a baby bird who is learning to fly. They become close friends and for a few years they meet every spring and enjoy each other's company until fall when Bird flies south for the winter. One spring Bird returns but does not find Bear.
This story is a sweet way to tell about death and loss, while also showing the way to remember and still enjoy life. Lovely illustrations.

[MQR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish I had known directly that it was a book about death. (blurb vague, and I skimmed) It was really sweet though. I personally dont believe the subject is something that children should get used to reading from picture books. But for the purpose to help a child understand relationship investment and its loss, I like this one definitely much more than others that I've come across.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This gentle book explains concepts of time, aging, and death in a way appropriate for young readers. Recommended for kids who have experienced the loss of a friend or family member, especially if the loved one was older.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely story about a special friendship between a bird and a bear that sadly plays out its natural course when the bear grows old. It is a gentle way of introducing the stages of both friendship and life to young children.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a touching, bittersweet story with lovely illustrations to match.

[wildct2003 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture book dealing with the death of a friend.

[Srujan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple yet soulful. The book is a wonderful way to explain to very young children the concept of circle of life.

[Jaime · Rating 2 out of 5]

Totally fine if it ended halfway through! Too heavy and sad — we weren’t prepared for that!

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Skofield's and Jennifer Thermes' “Bear and Bird” is a (very nicely) illustrated children's book, describing – as one might easily infer – the friendship between a wild bear and a bird (while not identified as such in the text, the illustrations clearly portray a robin).

The book describes the mutual aid that each animal provided the other to begin and build the friendship, and how that companionship grew despite nature's conflicting methods of dealing with winter – migration and hibernation. It also shows how nature has its own agenda, and as such could help younger readers deal with loss.

Trying to put my “inner child” hat on, I believe this story does work at that level, and will appeal to early primary grade readers. (As usual, I will pass this along to my grandchildren; if they provide any additional feedback whether supporting or contradictory, I will update this text accordingly.)

RATING: After some internal debate – 4 1/2 stars, rounded up to 5 stars. This book does what it set out to do quite nicely and it stayed with me after I'd finished it – in a nutshell, my criteria for 5-stardom.

DISCLOSURE: I won this book in an online contest. An honest review was requested but was not made a condition of acceptance.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

When an unexpected friendship springs up between an elderly bear and a bird, the two enjoy spending time together in the woods. They savor what each one brings to the friendship and miss each other when the weather turns cold. As Bear hibernates and Bird flies south to warmer climes, both look forward to seeing each other again when spring returns. But the passage of time takes a toll on Bear, and Bird returns to find her missing. This lovely meditation on friendship and death is a gentle and poignant reminder of the pains and pleasures of friendship and the importance or the memories we make with others. The illustrations are filled with nature scenes as the friends pass time in pleasurable pursuits. I really liked how the story was told and can see sharing this with children coping with their own losses.

[Brenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

One spring an old bear finds that a young bird, just learning to fly, has fallen to the ground. When the bear lifts the bird to safety, a friendship is formed that last for many years. Only separated during winter when bear hibernates and bird flies south, these friends are together all the time. One spring day when bird returns from the south his friend is not there to greet him. When bird finds out why bear is not there his memories bring him comfort and acceptance. This is a great book about the cycle of life. It teaches children that death is a natural thing and yes it can be sad. Remembering the times we had with our loved ones is what can help us cope with their loss.This book is a great teaching tool for young children during a hard lesson in life. I can see this book in a classroom library but I have a hard time picturing it in an actually unit.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bear and Bird is a true tale of life and death. With new life comes new adventures for Bird as she found a friend in Bear. But as life continues & the adventures through the years...so does old age. When Bird flies off for winter she expects to find Bear again in the spring. Instead she is left wondering what happened to Bear.

This book is full of life & color. The book specifically spoke to me on life & death. My husband is a hospice chaplain, this book would be great for children of all ages who has or is currently experiencing a death of a loved one.

This book would be good for all children, with much discussion as to what the meaning/theme of the book is all about. Especially those who do not understand what death is all about. I would use this on a case by case experience sharing it with others who also deal with death and or bereavement.

[Meow Meow Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming life lesson. I read it to my friend and got tears in eyes when it came to the bird finds out the bear will never come back. As an adult I feel death and separation are becoming not that dreadful. It's a life cycle. I guess the young bear will face the same problem when the bird would never come back from the south someday, but I believe he will go through it very well.
Also great illustrations!

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one made me cry- in a good way. Bear and bird become good friends one year when bear helps bird. Their friendship is stronger each year, but one year, bear does not appear. Bird is sad when he finds out that bear has passed, but he makes a new bear friend.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story about a friendship between a bird and bear, with a sad, then uplifting ending. The illustrations were terrific... fresh and light and expressive.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My girls really enjoyed this book.

[Kirsti Call · Rating 3 out of 5]

Themes of friendship, death, and seasons of life.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for a child who is dealing with death and grief. It made me cry.

[Angief · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a free copy of this book on Goodreads. I entered it in hopes to win this book for my young son. He loves it. I am so happy that I won it. It is one of his favorites to be read before bed.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this in a giveaway-I read it to Aimee tonight and bawled my eyes out. Super super great!

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful friendship story with gentle explanation of death

[Tina Qualls · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little heavy-handed and sappy but possible to use to further studies of migration and hibernation.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet, sad story

[Serenity · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet, if sad, book, about friendship and love.