A Rare Purple Bear

Summary: A Rare Purple Bear, a read aloud fiction book for four to eight-year olds, is the tale of Clancy, a curious, cream-colored black bear cub. Because of accidental misfortune, the cub is swept to his death and over a waterfall on his first adventure out of the family's winter den. Clancy lands in the colorful Land of Enchantment, a parallel world of celebratory holidays and magic, just in time for Easter. Throughout the story, familiar holiday personalities befriend him and thoughtfully encourage his curiosity and offer support as he weaves through his personal grieving process. The young bear joins in the camaraderie, festivities, and the hope-filled magic of seasonal celebrations from Easter until Christmas Eve guided by the Easter Bunny (EB) and Ellie, a young deer. A Rare Purple Bear resolves in a joyful ending that will endear everyone.

A Rare Purple Bear is an appropriate story for young children who may have been exposed to the death of loved ones, witness to scenes in the media that create anxiety, or who are personally suffering. It offers a sense of familiarity, gentle relief, and insight for everyone while treating death as part of the living process.