Bear Shaped

Jack loved Bear and took him everywhere with him. Jack often finds trying new things or communicating with other people difficult due to his autism but having Bear makes him feel brave, Bear is his bridge to the world. But then one day at the park Bear disappears, leaving a bear shaped hole in Jack. Local searches yield no results but when the news spreads more widely messages come from all over the world and bears start arriving in the post. The kindness of others creates a change in Jack, he realizes how lucky he has been to have Bear and that many children might appreciate a bear of their own to be friends with, so he begins giving them away.

Inspired by a true story, this is a sensitively told and beautifully illustrated picture book about loving and losing something precious. It conveys one child’s experiences of coping with grief and gradually growing in strength with the recognition you are not alone in feeling sad, in a gentle and moving way. This book has resonance for everyone who has lost a toy, loved pet or member of the family and also provides insight into the world of an autistic child.