Ida, Always

"Ida and Gus are true New Yorkers. They love the pulse of the city. These two best friends — did I mention they are polar bears? — live side by side in the Central Park Zoo. Gus has always had Ida. Always. Then Ida gets sick, and she and Gus realize she won’t have much time left. “Wherever I go,” Ida tells him, “I bet I’ll always smell your fishy breath!” Gus wants to smile, but isn’t sure if it’s OK until he sees that Ida is laughing. This sweet, sad story of friendship, love and memory will help kids learn that life comes along with both joy and pain. (And I dare grown-ups to try to get through it with dry eyes!) (For ages 4 to 8)"