Goodbye, Bear

This gentle, touching story of the death of a dear friend, Bear, introduces children to the complex and often confusing feelings of grief, and the ways that Bear’s friends honor his memory as they learn how to cope with the loss.

“Bear died on a Friday, while sunlight speckled the grass and caterpillars nibbled leaves in the forest.” Beaver and Mole, two of Bear’s friends, return some of bear's belongings to his tree house, not quite understanding why their friend is no longer with them. The two cry together, sit quietly together, and feel angry together over the loss of their friend—but they gradually realize that Bear wouldn’t want them to be unhappy, so they decide to finish something that Bear had started.

Jane Chapman has been writing and illustrating picture books for more than 20 years and has produced many best-selling and award-winning titles. She and illustrator Tim Warnes have two sons. Jane lives in Dorset, England.

Jane Chapman has been writing and illustrating picture books for more than 20 years and has produced many best-selling and award-winning titles. She and illustrator Tim Warnes have two sons. Jane lives in Dorset, England.