"Warmhearted . . . memorable . . . [a] work of thoughtful exploration." -- Publishers Weekly (STARRED REVIEW)

A dreamlike tale about a bear, a boy, and the conversation they share one snowy evening.

​Hiro is a bear too curious to sleep all winter long. So she packs her things, heads out of her cave, and follows some odd tracks in the snow.... straight into a bonfire party! Everyone runs away--except for Émile. He is a boy too curious to give up his chance to talk to a bear. "What it's like, being a bear?" Émile asks Hiro. As bear and boy sit, talk, and roast marshmallows, a friendship sparks between them...

With wonderfully quirky narration and richly colored art, this enchanting book begs to be read aloud on cozy nights by the fire. Young readers will be delighted by Hiro and Émile's winter world of crackling bonfires, bear songs, and ooey-gooey toasted marshmallows.

Children's Book Council (CBC) Librarian FAVORITES K-2ND Grade (2025)