What a book. Such a lovely way to show younger children (and anyone actually to be honest) that dealing with grief is a difficult thing, but also that there is hope and light. When Bear goes away then there is left a bear shaped hole and it is all about those memories and experiences that were shared together. The page at the end with the hare on it too got me sobbing!
A delicately written book that is perfect to use about grief and loos with children. Beautiful

The Bear-Shaped Hole is a beautiful book that shows children how to prepare for and deal with a death of a loved one. Speaking to children about death can be incredibly overwhelming and stressful but Dougherty does an amazing job of gently addressing the topic with young people. This book shows the love that continues after we lose someone and the ways in which we carry them in our hearts.

The Bear-Shaped Hole by John Dougherty is the perfect way to help children understand loss and how to handle their grief. This is especially relevant if a friend or loved one has not yet passed but is imminent.

While this is a book for children it is an impactful read for adults as well. Truly a beautifully, yet emotional, account of Orlo, an older bear, and Gerda, the younger bear who learns that Orlo will be passing away.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an electronic review copy of The Bear-Shaped Hole by John Dougherty to review. #TheBearShapedHole #NetGalley #JohnDougherty

This insightful book offers young children a gentle and accessible introduction to loss and grief. With clear, age-appropriate language and engaging illustrations, it approaches a difficult topic with sensitivity and respect. Thoughtfully crafted, it provides comfort and understanding, making it an invaluable resource for families and children.

This is a wonderful book that is proving invaluable when talking to the very young about bereavement. It is gentle and supportive and helps the audience to understand the importance that memory can play in helping mitigate grief.

After the outstanding and heartbreaking "Hare Shaped Hole" (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5881988694), which defeats the object of ever doing a preparing-a-child-for-grief book ever again, we get a second preparing-a-child-for-grief book. This has Gerda, who loves nothing more than spending time with the caring, generous Orlo – but who has reason to rage against the world when she learns that the older bear has got an incurable disease. She will have to learn that the memories she already has, and the memories they can make in their last summer together, will be a part of her that lasts – and that many other friends and changes of situation can fill any future Orlo-shaped hole.

Perhaps this was less shockingly brilliant as I knew what this creative duo could present us with, but it was still an outrageous five star success, wrenching the emotion and looking almost cheesily cartoonish with it at times. The rhyme could not be bettered, and the visuals make it all immediate to the young audience member, who once again will perhaps be here for a very serious reason but will never once feel they're being hectored or educated into thinking a specific way. I said last time nobody need try and replicate that first book – well, nobody except the original artists. They can produce as many as they need – but again nobody else need ever consider other such books.

Thank you to NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are honest and my own.

The Bear-Shaped Hole is a beautiful story that explains death and grief to children in a way they can understand. My family recently lost my Nana, and I still haven’t explained her death to my daughter. She’s only 3 and she asks about her often, I plan to read her this book the next time she asks me if Nana can come over.

Absolutely beautiful story for such a difficult topic.

Thank you Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books | Frances Lincoln Children's Books for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

This book made me so emotional. I cried and felt broken in a good way. In a healing way. I wished I had such book in my childhood to deal with the losses I suffered. The losses that will always be there no matter what I do. But when someone helps us while grieving it can be a journey worth experiencing.

Such a good book for kids to understand how loss and grief are parts of life.

Definitely going to get this one for kid once she grows up enough to understand it.

Okay, wow. I absolutely did not expect to read this and end up with tears in my eyes.
As a young kid I would have loved to have a book explain to me what happens after someone has gone away from your life and you have to move on. The way this is explained and that it is okay to have all those big feelings and emotions just hit it right in the feels. Those emotions and feelings are legit, but also the way that even though they are gone, it doesn't mean they are gone from your heart. All the memories and good times, the love and the fun will still remain. The sadness is okay, but cherish the good parts and look back with a smile.

Absolutely amazing that these books exist to help children understand that this is all okay and that it might hurt, but all the good memories are still there and will never go away. The love you have for this person, pet or literally anything will perservere and it is okay to not feel ok after the loss. You will miss them, you will feel sad and maybe even angry or upset. But that is okay. These emotions are part of us, of who we are. Just remember the good times, the fun times and the love and eventually, you will experience good times again.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc.

I had already read "The Hare-Shaped Hole" and that book was one of my favs so far, but when I read this one, I just knew that it was going do be amazing. The illustrations are, as always, very captivating. The history is beautiful and it's such an important book about grief. Amazing.

This is a beautiful book dealing with death of a loved one. It was so well written and sensitive, and respectful that I think it would be good for all ages of children, as long as you warned them it was a sad book and it would make them feel sad. It didn't end sad though. It had the lesson that it's okay to be angry and to grieve that someone is sick and has to die; but that we need to love and make happy memories to carry on with us after they are gone. That to love and lose is better than to not love at all, that age old adage -- is set to rhyme that is sad, but hopeful at the same time.

The illustrations were bright colored and powerful. I love that the bear spit out clouds of black anger when she first heard the news of her friend being sick and dying. It's so important that kids understand that their feelings are valid and okay. I especially liked that the bear shaped hole turned out to be rainbow hued instead of a dark shadow. It made the whole book so much more hopeful that way and it showed that others would also leave rainbow shadows, but that life goes on and happiness comes again.

I think this book is going to be a classic that will last. It dealt with such a hard subject, but such a necessary one. Kids have to deal with death and they need a book like this to help them through it. I think this should be something that hospitals and cancer wards offer to children who are losing loved ones. But even more, it should be available at libraries and bookstores to help children (and adult, I personally loved it and cried alone with the bear). It's so relatable. Really stunning work and such a necessary book.

Another beautiful & poignant picture book from John Doughery to help children understand long term illness, loss & grief. Would recommend this to School Welfare, Nurture Groups & ELSAs. I’ve already pre-ordered my copy.

Omg this was so sad!!! I love the illustrations - they are beautiful. The message was beautiful but sad!! I think this is a great way to teach children about moving on from death.

This was well written and had beautiful illustrations. I liked the message in the story. I’m not exactly sure what age it’s geared toward. It seems like it would be too heavy for young children but maybe good for an adult?

The illustrations in The Bear-Shaped Hole are absolutely beautiful, and they immediately reminded me of iconic children's books I loved growing up, like The Gruffalo, especially with its forest setting. The vibrant colors and the way the natural world is portrayed create such a fitting backdrop for this story. The font choice is also clean and easy to read, making it a breeze for younger readers to follow along. But while the visuals draw you in with their charm, it’s the emotional depth of the story that really hits hard.

I didn’t anticipate the sadness of the ending, and I’ll admit, I got quite emotional while reading it. The book gently tackles the difficult topic of grief, particularly when a loved one is terminally ill, in a way that feels very appropriate for young readers. It’s not just about loss, but about cherishing memories, feeling all the emotions that come with mourning, and understanding that life continues in its own way. It’s such a beautiful way to explain grief to children, without overwhelming them, and it opens up space for important conversations.

This book is truly lovely. It’s not just a great resource for helping kids deal with loss; it’s also a powerful reminder for adults. It's written from the heart, and though it’s simple, it explores complex emotions in a way that is both comforting and honest. Highly recommend this book—it’s one that will stay with you long after you’ve read it.

I cried so much reading this book, but I loved it! I warned my 3yo daughter that it would be sad. This book walks through the death of a loved one, while having some advance knowledge that the loved one would be passing. It was very sweet and opened conversations that could make sense, well sort of. Death is hard for everyone—it’s especially confusing for littles. I thought this book did an excellent job, though. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This book is a great resource for kids who are about to lose a loved one. I would recommend some other titles over this one for dealing with a loss of a loved one, BUT if a family member is terminally ill, THIS is the book I would recommend to help get your child through it. It shows that you have a right to be sad and upset and hurt and angry at the world. However, it also shows that life will go on and the people in your life is fluid, but your love for them is forever.

This was such a great way to represent the concept of grief/loss for a younger audience in a comfortable and familiar environment.

I enjoyed this delightful childrens book and the charming and unique illustrations. I think this is a good way to bring up the topic of loss with young children, because unfortunately they are going to have to learn about it sooner rather than later.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

I love The Hare-Shaped Hole and it made me bawl my eyes out. This one is equally poignant but I would have loved a more different story.