“An expressive little black bear befriends something “red as a berry / and round like the moon / with a long silver string” in this sweet story. The bear has large ears, a white nose, and tottering, toddler-ish proportions sure to charm, and his buoyant companion somehow manages to “smile back at him like a friend” through vibrancy alone. The straightforward writing floats through Chien’s soft-textured, multimedia illustrations with heartwarming ease as the pair dance, find honey, and roll down a hill in glowing, abstract landscapes. When the inevitable occurs, as any little one enamored with something as squishable and huggable as a balloon will learn, the bear’s sorrow overcomes him. “Bad bear, / he thought. / Bad, bad bear. // Night fell, / but the bear / skipped his dinner.” The little bear sinks into deep blue spreads, but his grief melts even the heart of the moon, and with a little celestial reassurance, the bear comes to value his good memories, giving the book a satisfying amount of substance. In the author’s and illustrator’s expert hands, readers are sure to feel lighter than air and ready for bed. The dreamy spread in which the bear receives his message from the moon is worth a mention all on its own, charming and cheerful as the rest of the book may be, as are velvety lavender endpapers featuring the balloon and the moon. As delightful as a balloon—but with more weight. (Picture book. 2-5) –STARRED REVIEW, KIRKUS

“Burgess’ unassuming language is endearing (bear wakes up from a “snooze” and gives the balloon “a tour of his whereabouts”), and there are sweet moments of humor (“This is the spot where I sit on the pot,” the bear tells the balloon near a waterfall). The pacing is flawless; shortly before it happens, readers anticipate the plot’s tragic turn by spotting bear’s sharp claws as he lovingly grips his friend. Chien’s hazy, atmospheric illustrations, which employ playful perspectives, feature splendid vistas with rich washes of color, though she knows when to let the bear take the focus in crisp white space. This one packs an emotional punch, and not just for preschoolers: it’s about no less than loss, self-forgiveness, and the ways in which memories can serve to mitigate grief.”—STARRED REVIEW, Julie Danielson at The Horn Book Magazine

“In spare, inviting verse, professor/poet Burgess highlights the absorbing power of young friendship, emphasizing that time together is no measure for the depth of the bond. The bear's attachment here is undeniable; he readily recognizes this gift of a friend, making his loss-inspired self-recriminations potently affecting. The forgiveness nudged from above ushers peace and the permission to delight again in absorbing memories. Burgess finds an ideal collaborator in Brazilian artist Cátia Chien, who lives in New York City and whose mixed-media illustrations imbue every vibrantly swathed, expressive page with resonating emotive range. Using changing perspectives and evocative palettes, Chien clearly depicts the bear's every mood, beginning with discovery and delight and ending with mourning and (self) acceptance. --Terry Hong, SHELF AWARENESS

“A red balloon catches the attention of a young black bear cub. Fascinated by its light, buoyant movement, the bear grabs hold of the balloon’s string and ties it to a stone. When the sun rises, the bear gives his new friend “a tour of his whereabouts.” After the pair climbs a tree, rolls down a hill and sits next to a waterfall, the bear hugs the balloon and it pops. Grief-stricken, the bear feels guilt and shame (“Bad Bear, he thought”) until he is touched by the light of the moon and the moon tells him, “Good bear. Kind bear. Don’t worry, bear,” and his heavy heart is lifted. Simply told but deep with transcendent truth, The Bear and the Moon demonstrates the value of shared grief and the importance of forgiving ourselves.” –Read the review, along with Tips for Teachers, at BOOKPAGE

Cátia and I discuss our creative process and collaboration with Sarah Enni’s First Draft podcast.

You can find an audio interview and teaching resources at Teaching Books’ Virtual Book Launch.

Check out Cátia’s art and preliminary sketches at Julie Danielson’s blog, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.

Available from your favorite independent bookshop, or at BOOKSHOP, CHRONICLE, AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE. Signed copies on riso bookplates available from BOOKS OF WONDER.