Bear Child

Ursula loves the stories her father tells to her, but her favorite is the story of the bear folk. Long ago, sometimes people and bears fell in love, married, and had children. These children were the bear folk and could change shape from one to the other at will. Ursula announces she would like to marry a bear, but, father tells her, bears had decided it is better to stay away from people and live in the woods while people decided to live in towns and stay away from bears. But there are still bear children, and Ursula sees herself as having many of their characteristics. Father even explains how life for every being comes to an end and what happens to bear people.

Author Geoff Mead has written a truly enchanting story that is destined to become a favorite of youngsters who listen and the adults who read to them. The story has the feel of an old folktale —magical and charmingly sweet with a lovely twist at the end. The illustrations by Sanne Dufft are as magical and gentle as the story and are the perfect complement to the story. Don’t miss this one.