Bear-Shaped Hole

A beautiful companion title to the critically acclaimed The Hare-Shaped Hole, The Bear-Shaped Hole is a profound, heart-warming story that helps children understand and prepare for loss.

Gerda and Orlo are best bear friends. When Gerda was there, Orlo always had time for a game or a story, a joke or a rhyme. He was never too busy to listen, to talk, to help, to share, or to go for a walk.

But slowly, something starts to change. Orlo reveals he is ill, and as he softly explains to Gerda, he is not going to get better. Gerda is overwhelmed by emotions she cannot quite explain, but Orlo gently helps her prepare, so they can spend their time together making memories that will last a lifetime. When the time comes, Gerda can fill the Bear-Shaped hole in her life with the special moments she shared with Orlo.

This brand new picture book is the latest powerful and moving tale from John Dougherty and Thomas Docherty, the award-winning creators of The Hare-Shaped Hole. This sensitively written and beautifully illustrated story explores the process of preparing for loss as well as the experience of loss itself.

The Bear-Shaped Hole is a gentle, heartfelt tale that helps children navigate and understand the complex emotions associated with loss. Perfect for parents looking for a way to address sensitive topics, it covers a range of themes to support meaningful conversations.

Review:

"This "delicate and sensitive" companion title to Dougherty and Swansea-based illustrator Docherty's The Hare-Shaped Hole focuses on preparation for loss, as well as loss itself, with gentle artwork to help reassure and support young children."

"A poignant picture book that explores the preparation for loss, as Gerda the bear has to process that her bet friend, Orlo, won't be around forever."

"Grief is a big topic in any child's life and must be handled gently, as it is here [...] ideal for pre-school settings [...] when a teacher is on hand to talk the class through it."

"The Bear-Shaped Hole is going to be one of the most important picturebooks of 2025."

"Calming guidance for little ones grappling with sorrow."

"...with its sensitive message about the loss of a loved one is an especially, unreservedly recommended acquisition for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections...."