While it’s not the easiest subject to talk about, dying is one of those issues that parents must be willing to discuss with their children. Sleeping Bear Press recently published Bear and Bird and author James Skofield takes a difficult subject and covers it beautifully and gracefully in this delightful picture book.

The illustrations by artist Jennifer Thermes were the very first thing that appealed to me. Thermes is a gifted artist and her full-page watercolor paintings keep the book sensitive and pleasant. Her paintings complemented the text perfectly; the animals’ faces are expressive without being too dramatic. The soft colors are the ideal palette for the subject matter. Even before I realized that the plot was something other than the usual animal story, I liked the book simply because of Thermes’ artwork.

The book opens with Bird needing a rescuer, and Bear is the unlikely candidate. They form a special friendship that remains year after year – it’s renewed each spring when Bear wakes up from her long winter sleep and Bird returns from her migration south.

One sad spring day though, Bird discovers his friend is no longer around. The way he discovers what happened to Bear is an excellent resolution to the book. Without completely giving away the ending, it resolves pleasantly with Bird’s new friend bringing him joy and Bird finds peace when he understands what naturally happens in our world.

Together, Skofield and Thermes tackle a tough topic and the end result is a picture book that will be a great addition to your library. The text and pictures combine to keep the mood from being dark and give children a comfortable explanation of life and death, and the beautiful friendships in between.

Product Review by Gwen Toliver, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, May 2014