The Bear's best friend, a little bird, dies. In his grief, Bear makes a beautiful box and lays the bird inside. He takes his box everywhere with him, but others don't understand when he shows them its contents. So, he stays home, alone and sad. Until the sun shines... and, venturing outside, he meets a wildcat who understands his grief and helps Bear remember his friend.
Simple scratch-board like illustrations in black and cream, with occasional splashes of pink, perfectly convey the subdued mood of the story. ( )