Skip to content

  • by

MEGUMI AND THE BEAR

Megumi has only one wish. For the bear to come back.

Published by Walker Books, Megumi and the Bear is a heartwarming story about friendship. Written by Irma Gold and illustrated by Craig Phillips, Megumi and the Bear is for children aged 3+. For more information visit Walker Books.

Praise for Megumi and the Bear
Gold’s understated text is beautifully crafted, while Phillips’ muted illustrations are endearing…There is a wonderful mix of warmth and pathos, heartache and joy in this delightful book.  The Canberra Times

A moving story of sadness and healing.  Bookseller+Publisher

This is a divinely sweet story about friendship and the power of hope. Gold’s text is warmly and beautifully written.  Kids Book Review  (read full review here)

Charming and whimsical…a book that adults as well as kids will enjoy.  HerCanberra

A beautiful story about friendship and a child‘s longing written with warmth and care, and with wonderful illustrations.  New Kidz Books in Oz

Megumi and the Bear is a gorgeous book…about friendship, loss, time and memory.  Whispering Gums (read full review here)

An utterly charming love story.  Barbie Robinson, ArtSound FM

A tenderly portrayed tale of friendship and an opportunity to talk about feelings of loss and partingRed Reading Hub

The snowy setting in this picture book for young children is refreshing…The depiction of snow naturally creates white space on the page that allows gaps in explicit content and encourages imaginations to open…Irma Gold’s text is as thoughtful as Craig Phillips’ illustrations. The language is sensory, daisies wound around themselves, and at times metaphorical, a star falls towards her like a flower…This tale of friendship could also be a possible resource when considering the Australian curriculum’s focus on Asia.  Magpies magazine

Selected links
Download classroom ideas for Megumi and the Bear here.
Read an interview with Irma about Megumi and the Bear’s strange journey to publication in the Age here.
Read about Megumi’s Canberra launch here and Sydney launch here.
Read about the importance of picture books (including the story of Megumi and the Bear) in the Sydney Morning Herald here.

Listen to ABC Radio’s Alex Sloan interview Irma about Megumi and the Bear: