Love Is in the Bear - by Judith Henderson (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Little does Bear know, when he emerges from his winter sleep, that he's about meet a special someone who will change his life forever. If he had slept another second, he would have missed the moment -- THE moment -- in a day that started everything. Bird flits and flies from here to there while Bear watches, entranced. And, all the while, Bird sings -- she can even sing upside down! When Bear learns that Bird is practicing to perform in an opera and plans to try out for the duet, he asks if he can sing the duet with her. Together, they practise and practise until their duet is perfect. But when they audition, Bird is cast in the opera -- and Bear is not. Bear is filled with disappointment, but Bird comforts and reassures him, explaining that even though they won't sing together in the opera, they are still a perfect duet. The night of the opera, Bear is Bird's biggest fan and greatest admirer. And as winter approaches again, and Bear gets ready to go to sleep for the winter, Bird promises to check in on him every single day."--

Book Synopsis

A perfectly pitched story about a bear, a bird, and a bond forged through music

Spring is here, and Bear is finally emerging from his hollow to greet his forest friends. Suddenly, he hears beautiful singing coming from above. It's Bird, practicing for the forest Opera! When Bird tells Bear that she's auditioning for a duet, Bear decides to try out as well, and asks if he can practice with her. Bird agrees, and as the pair rehearses their song, an unlikely friendship begins.

After the audition, Bird is cast in the opera--but Bear is not. Devastated, Bear returns to his hollow to hide. Bird comes to comfort him and insists that the pair are still a duet, with or without a stage to sing on. Reassured of their close bond, Bear celebrates Bird's success at the Opera, getting the best seat in the house and quietly singing along with his friend.

This tender celebration of loyalty, friendship, and song is brought to life with Judith Henderson's lyrical text and the soft, magical illustrations of Nahid Kazemi. Together, Bird and Bear face the music and find that the strongest connections can weather the most difficult disappointments with empathy, resilience, and mutual support.

Review Quotes

"A sweet and attractive story with a compassionate message about friendship that will bring a smile to the faces of children."

-- "Canadian Review of Materials"

"A visual feast, this book is a dreamy ode to love and friendship."

-- "School Library Journal"

"Enhanced with gently humorous moments and details about the natural world's seasonal changes, this tender tale celebrates the sweet allure of shared song spinning into an unexpected but abiding friendship."

-- "Booklist"

"Kazemi's ethereal forest, full of smudged trees and floating dandelion wisps, enhances the sentimental atmosphere of these sweet soul mates ... Elevates standard hibernation fare to a new level."

-- "Kirkus Reviews"