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This colorful children's book opens on a dreary autumn day, when boredom lingers and nothing seems to be going well for a young girl. The girl spots a little bear outside her window. The bear tells the girl that he lost his mother in a horrible fire. The girl is at a loss as to how to help the bear. However, they work together to determine what the little bear needs. The little bear knows that he will soon need to hibernate, but the woods are so charred that he can find no shelter. The little girl, nonetheless, has a solution: she tells the little bear he can stay in the barn. When he wakes when springtime arrives, he, nor the woods he left, are the same, and the bear and the little girl who found him must begin an entirely new journey.
What is most noticeable about the storyline in this book is the deep connection between the little girl and the needy animal she encounters. This connection sets an example of how humanity can and should be in tune with nature. The little girl is acutely aware of the bear's needs, and she puts forth her best effort to help him overcome the loss of his mother and his grief. Thus, the little girl's actions resonate with the myriad of headlines about selfless humans who go above and beyond to save an animal from harm, danger, and even other humans. The little girl also exhibits the greatest respect for the bear. This, too, is another important lesson that the book provides for youngsters. They quickly learn that nature and its inhabitants are forces entirely their own that deserve respect, too.
The illustrations bring the girl and the bear's story to life in their own unique way. Colorful trees, leaves, and mushrooms fill the pictures accompanying the story. The illustrations also help the book's audience see the bond between the girl and her new friend. Their attachment to one another is particularly evident in the book's final illustration. The two are hugging, and the girl recognizes that though the bear considers her an angel, the bear has been an angel of sorts for the girl, too.
The book also quietly addresses a climate change-related issue that frequently floods headlines each year—the impact of wildfires on wildlife. Sadly, no global statistics exist on the number of animals impacted by wildfires, as the devastation varies according to the area burned and the size of the wildfire. In the story, the bear loses his mother in the fire, but he also loses his habitat. This highlights how habitat loss is a major barrier that wildlife face in wildfire-ravaged areas. While wildfires can be a natural part of a healthy ecosystem, their severity is increasing and causing more harm to the animals, such as the bear in the narrative, that encounter them.
Rascon's book is a much-needed feel-good story that shows the interdependence of humans and animals. It is also a powerful teaching tool for not only youngsters but also for individuals of all ages. This story of a young girl who befriends a grief-stricken bear will surely inspire its audience to bring more kindness to the world for both humans and animals alike.