"And now, he was gone."

This superb picture book takes a poignant look at death and friendship. But it’s not all doom and gloom by any means.

In Yumoto’s genuinely moving story, Bear’s best friend, bird dies and Bear becomes consumed with grief and sadness, until one day he comes across a wildcat with a violin.  When the wildcat plays a tune Bear suddenly remembers his close friendship with Bird and with that comes insight, acceptance and even an opportunity to make another friend.

Equal to the story telling are Komako Sakai’s illustrations. They have a retro look and an almost gritty, tactile feel that masks a subtlety of action and character. And while her pictures are monochromatic, towards the end, sharp young readers are bound to spot the increasing but judicious splashes of pink that the endpapers pick up on.