Bear and Rat by Christopher Cheng illustrated by Stephen Michael King

In this book we, as readers, are invited to listen to an important conversation between these two old friends. The pair engage in simple activities together, caring for one another as they move through the seasons and different landscapes. The love, patience and respect they have for each other is something to treasure and perhaps to aspire to in all our relationships. We see this pair continuing their life journey together knowing one day it will end but not today. 

This book has such a perfect pace and a comforting message. Echoing the way love is an enormous emotion, the end papers that show the enormity of the sky and the sea.  Stephen Michael King has created illustrations which are delicate and sparse. With just a few lines he is able to create such a believable relationship between Bear and Rat. The choice of a rat instead of a mouse, coupled with Bear being a Panda - and there being lots of bamboo - gives it a very Asian feel. I also love the raindrops; snowflakes; windy days and most especially the way Bear and Rat hold hands. Little Rat takes such comfort from his huge friend bear - there is a wonderful sense of trust between these two. 

Although adults will read it as a story about parting and grieving, children will not necessarily see this. This is a lovely story which explores what friendship is and what it truly means to love someone.  Whether this ‘loss’ is through death or isolation, this is a book which will help readers work through some of the issues of our current global situation, and life more generally. Sadly this book is based on real life events. 

Bear and Rat is a heartfelt, emotion-filled, tear triggering masterpiece. It explores the true meaning of friendship and love and loss and grief. But it does it in a way children will understand and relate to. Kids' Book Review

But often our children need the sort of reassurance that Rat does – that regardless of what they do or say or experience, someone will be there for them through everything because real love is unconditional and enduring. Barbara Braxton The Bottom Shelf

Bear and Rat is a 2022 CBCA Notable book. Christopher Cheng has three books listed as Notables for 2022 - Bear and Rat; Wombat and The Imagineer. 

Stephen Michael King loves to include umbrellas in his illustrations and he uses them to great effect in this book. There is one page filled with snow flakes and from our birds eye view we can see the top of the two umbrellas - one red and one yellow joined by their two hands. And on another page we can glimpse the colourful umbrellas behind the huge stand of bamboo. 

Image Source: Manning Regional Gallery

Companion books:

Up the Mountain

Ida Always

If all the world were

A Rabbit named Harris