LeoNora M. Cohen

Bear and Cat

This story is about the unusual relationship that developed between a bear in a zoo and a little cat that slipped through the bars of his cage to share his world. Their friendship inspires children at school to be kind to each other and to accept differences.

Based on a true story of a cat and a bear in the Berlin Zoo, the friendship that developed between such different species becomes a metaphor for how people of different races,
religions, backgrounds, or abilities can learn to accept each other.

Cat tells Bear how she ended up out on the streets, cold and alone. Bear tells Cat about how he was brought to the zoo as a cub and how hard it is to be stared at all day without having a friend to share with. The two find comfort in each other, Cat slipping out of the cage each day to bring back stories to Bear.

A little boy visits Bear and Cat and questions why these animals can be such good friends, while kids in his class are so mean to each other. A visit by the class helps the children recognize that they can also be friends, even when they might be quite different from each other.

Paris Myers, the 15-year-old artist, makes the story come alive. It is bilingual, in English and Spanish, so young readers can see the words in both languages and have the pictures to help make meaning.

All profits from sale of this book benefit Rotary San Miguel de Allende, Midday, whose mission is peace and friendship.

About the Artist:  Paris Myers

Paris Myers is a 15 year old junior at Crescent High School in Corvallis, Oregon.  She has been studying visual arts with her private teacher Mark Allison since she was eight years old.  Paris enjoys a variety of activities including writing, reading, volunteering in her community, and playing on her school's varsity golf team.  She also loves history, applied science and hanging out with her two dogs, two cats, her younger brother Jackson and her mom and dad.  This is Paris' first time illustrating a book, as well as her first time creating art completely on a digital program.

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