《The Bear-Shaped Hole》 是一本溫柔又深刻的故事，專為幫助孩子理解並面對失去而寫。
故事中，Gerda 和 Orlo 是最要好的熊朋友。Gerda 總能在 Orlo 身邊找到歡笑與陪伴——玩遊戲、講故事、開玩笑、押韻、散步，Orlo 從來不會太忙，總是願意傾聽、聊天、分享。
但漸漸地，情況有了變化。Orlo 告訴 Gerda，他病了，而且不會好起來。這個消息讓 Gerda 情緒翻騰、難以理解，卻也在 Orlo 溫柔的引導下，學會了珍惜剩下的時光。他們一起做許多能留下美好回憶的事——那些笑聲、故事與陪伴，都成了永恆的寶藏。
當告別的那天真的到來時，Gerda 雖然心中有個「熊形的空洞」，卻能用與 Orlo 共享的回憶填滿它。
這個故事用溫暖的筆觸和細膩的插畫，帶孩子走過「準備失去」到「面對失去」的過程，幫助他們理解悲傷、珍惜當下，並相信愛與記憶會一直存在心中。
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.
