THE BEAR AND THE WILDCAT - "most original picture book"

The honour for most original picture book goes to The Bear and the Wildcat (Gecko Press, £9.99), written by the Japanese author Kazumi Yumoto and illustrated by Komako Sakai. Bereavement is a difficult theme for young readers, but as death occurs in the world it should be addressed, sensitively, on the page. The story opens with a tearful bear, whose friend the bird has died. While most of the animals in the forest tell him to forget the bird, a travelling wildcat encourages the bear to grieve. "This little bird must have been a very special friend of yours," he tells the bear. Touching and otherworldly, brave in its treatment of loss, The Bear and the Wildcat is a hauntingly beautiful book.

The above from The Independent's story " Picture books worth a thousand words" published yesterday.
Piece on this title posted on blog back in June.