When a mother bear in search of food disappears into a winter blizzard, her young cub is left to survive on its own. With a little help from the woodland creatures, the cub emerges from the den, and embarks upon a journey to find her mother – and herself, and learns that we are never truly alone.
When a mother bear in search of food disappears into a winter blizzard, her young cub is left to survive on its own. With a little help from the woodland creatures, the cub emerges from the den, and embarks upon a journey to find her mother – and herself, and learns that we are never truly alone.
One stormy night, a young bear cub and her mother are sheltering together away from the fierce wind raging outside of their den. Hunger soon overcomes them, so the mother bear leaves the cub alone in search of food; however, when the storm finally ends, the mother bear does not return. Luckily, other forest friends are attentive to the needs of the bear cub, ultimately giving the cub enough courage to search for her mother herself. The journey is not easy, but along the way, the bear cub discovers layers of truth that will serve her for the rest of her life.
This thoughtful and nostalgic tale invites readers of all ages into an exploration of love and loss that will resonate across generations. Relatively limited text makes the book accessible to preschool-aged readers, though the larger concepts in the plot are well-suited to older readers, as well. At the beginning of the story, a narrator describes actions using no dialogue, but a resonant turning point welcomes the bear cub’s voice to the mix. This divide transforms a more distant explanation of events to one that is immediately present for readers, which can summon myriad emotions to surface.
Striking imagery filled with rich colors gives the book a cartoon-like and approachable feel that will draw readers’ eyes as they hear the story read aloud. Clever use of depth and whimsical details make the illustrations stand out while constructing a thoughtful landscape against which the story can take place. The bear cub is the primary character in this story and is depicted as such, but her unnamed and silent woodland companions are ever present in her surroundings, adding to the overall message of the book. While there are occasions when the text is difficult to read against the background, these are relatively minor and infrequent.
Primarily an explanation of grief and the importance of found family, this picture book is one that is especially powerful for readers who have ever found themselves in similar situations to those of the bear cub. The bear cub is a relatable character, and astute readers will recognize how her singular focus sometimes prevents her from realizing the many supports she has in her surroundings. Best read as a story between a child and a caregiver, this soothing tale is a good addition to storybook collections for young readers and their families.