Love is in the Bear

After a long winter hibernation, Bear enjoys the beauty of spring and reuniting with other woodland animals. Then he hears Chickadee’s beautiful singing as she practices for an opera. Bear comes to love Bird, and he loves her singing. He wants to sing a duet with her in the opera. Bird tactfully suggests he will need to practice a lot since his ‘basso profundo’ voice makes a heart tremble while her soprano makes a heart flutter. Despite the wonderful time they have practicing their singing, Bear doesn’t make the audition. He is bitterly disappointed but realizes that he and Bird now share something much more important, their friendship.

This gentle story has a quiet appeal that children (and adults) will find irresistible, with adults perhaps recognizing the song allusion more than the children! The conversational text deftly presents an easily comprehended ideal of friendship, acceptance, and generosity of spirit. Despite his own disappointment, Bear takes pleasure in his friend’s success, and conversely Bird comforts him in his disappointment and watches out for him when it’s time for him to hibernate again. As true friends should, each rejoices and grieves for the other. The book also offers a simple awareness of the rhythm of the seasons.

The story is enhanced by rich illustrations set against a hazy blue-green background that highlights the feeling of burgeoning growth as spring and summer evolve. A variety of eager looking animals evoke chuckles and match the whimsical understated humour of the text.

Love is in the Bear is a sweet and attractive story with a compassionate message about friendship that will bring a smile to the faces of children aged 4-7.