The Bear-Shaped Hole written by John Dougherty and illustrated by Thomas Docherty - ADVISABLE

The Bear-Shaped Hole written by John Dougherty and illustrated by Thomas Docherty. PICTURE BOOK. Frances Lincoln Children’s Books (Quarto Group), 2025. $19. 9780711296619

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

Gerda and Orlo are two bears (and best friends) who begin to navigate Orlo’s illness and impending death. Gerda goes through the many stages of grief as she begins to process what it means for her when Orlo is no longer around.

I will admit this book made me cry. It’s a beautiful tribute to the grieving process and a gentle way to introduce it to a young child experiencing loss for the first time. This book won’t hold wide appeal to most of your library community, but it will be good for those that need it.

Kiera, ELA teacher, #bookswithbeddes