Something about this book touched me deeply, and I broke down while reading it. Both the text and the illustrations of this story are gorgeous and delicate. A bear grieves the loss of his beloved friend, a little bird. The other animals don't understand his grief and are dismissive. He moves through a time of great sadness until, one day, he meets a passing wildcat, who helps him honor the little bird and finally lay him to rest. The wildcat's empathy allows the bear to fondly remember all of the good times he and the bird spent together. The bear and the little bird will always be friends, and now, the bear and the wildcat are friends, too. Recommended by Mary