The Bonsai Bear

{"hero_section": {"headline": "Love, Art, and Letting Go.", "subheadline": "Explore the delicate balance between creation, possession, and the freedom of those we cherish."}, "the_vision": {"quote": "Big or small, trees are content to stay in one place. But bears must run freely wherever they desire.", "context": "This story beautifully illustrates the tension between imposing our will on loved ones and accepting their true nature. It offers a gentle framework for discussing the necessity of autonomy, even when it means separation."}, "therapeutic_guide": {"title": "For Navigating Attachment and Release", "core_utility": "Facilitates discussions around unconditional love and the pain/necessity of granting independence.", "conversation_starters": ["What is something you love to keep close, and what is something you love to let run free?", "Issa tried to make Doukeshi a bonsai. When is it important to let things (or people) be exactly who they are, not who we want them to be?", "How did Doukeshi show love to Issa and Kyomi even when he was leaving?"]}, "visual_style_guide": {"mood_board": "Intimate, Transformative, Textured", "color_palette": ["Deep Forest Green", "Soft Sepia Brown", "Muted Indigo"], "art_direction": "A blend of detailed, almost miniature-like renderings for the bonsai elements, contrasting with soft, expressive watercolor washes for the emotional scenes and the wild forest."}, "social_share": {"instagram": "Issa wanted his bear to be a perfect bonsai, but true love means setting the wild heart free. A poignant tale about creation, control, and the bittersweet joy of letting go. \ud83d\udc3b\u2702\ufe0f #BonsaiBear", "hashtags": ["#LettingGo", "#ChildrensLiterature", "#UnconditionalLove", "#IssaAndDoukeshi"]}, "reviews_and_awards": {"reader_praise": ["Issa is the greatest bonsai master in all of Japan. With his special techniques, he is able to make trees stay small and perfectly shaped. His wife Kyomi is skilled in the arts of painting and weaving, so their lives are filled with beauty. But something is missing: they have no children. One day, they receive an unusual gift, an orphan bear cub. They quickly fall in love with the delightful little bear and name him Doukeshi. Since the Emperor forbids the keeping of wild animals, Issa uses bonsai techniques to prevent the tiny bear from growing. Issa even tries to make him look like a cat so no one will notice. Kyomi wants Doukeshi to grow so he can run freely in the forest. But Issa loves him too much to let him go. Finally, the God of Bears visits Issa in a dream and shows him that the greatest love is allowing Doukeshi to return to his wild nature. Editorial Reviews About the Author Bernard Libster is a man of many interests. Initially intending to pursue a medical career, he decided to become a writer after spontaneously composing a poem one night. Raised in Golden's Bridge, New York, Bernie now resides in the New Jersey suburb of Hasbrouck Heights, where he works as an advertising copywriter. He enjoys writing essays, short stories, and Haiku, the Japanese form of short poetry. \"My inspirations are the Japanese poets, Issa and Basho, and the Italian children's writer Gianni Rodari.\" Bernie has lived in Mexico, France, and England and has traveled widely in Italy. He loves to cook, bicycle, and sing (while driving alone in the car). Bernie and his wife, author Marian Calabro, are owned by two cats, Zooty and Penny. The Bonsai Bear was inspired by their previous cat, Jester-the-Bear. Product details Publisher \u200f : \u200e Illumination Arts Publishing Company Publication date \u200f : \u200e September 1, 1999 Language \u200f : \u200e English Print length \u200f : \u200e 32 pages ISBN-10 \u200f : \u200e 0935699155 ISBN-13 \u200f : \u200e 978-0935699159 Item Weight \u200f : \u200e 13.6 ounces Reading age \u200f : \u200e 5 - 6 years Dimensions \u200f : \u200e 9.5 x 0.75 x 11.5 inches Best Sellers Rank: #3,914,203 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #2,101 in Children's Asia Books #4,022 in Children's Bear Books (Books) Customer Reviews: 4.8", "Pleasantly illustrated This is a pleasantly illustrated tale of a childless couple in Japan who adopt a bear cub. The husband is a master at bonsai, the art of shaping miniature trees. He shapes the bear so that it doesn't grow up and can stay in the family. The wife prevails upon him to let the bear grow up and return to the wild. Suitable for ages 8-12. From the United States Louis A De Vito", "A beautiful, touching tale This story of a well meaning bonsai artist who wants to keep an orphan bear small using bonsai techniques is very well written and moving. The conflict between wanting to control, but recognizing that it's necessary to allow growth and development is central to the story. It is beautifully done, and the illustrations are perfect for the story. Daniel J. Benor"], "editorial_reviews": [""]}, "author_bio": "Bernard Libster is a man of many interests. Initially intending to pursue a medical career, he decided to become a writer after spontaneously composing a poem one night. Raised in Golden's Bridge, New York, Bernie now resides in the New Jersey suburb of Hasbrouck Heights, where he works as an advertising copywriter. He enjoys writing essays, short stories, and Haiku, the Japanese form of short poetry. \"My inspirations are the Japanese poets, Issa and Basho, and the Italian children's writer Gianni Rodari.\" Bernie has lived in Mexico, France, and England and has traveled widely in Italy. He loves to cook, bicycle, and sing (while driving alone in the car). Bernie and his wife, author Marian Calabro, are owned by two cats, Zooty and Penny. The Bonsai Bear was inspired by their previous cat, Jester-the-Bear.", "product_specs": {}, "general_audience_layer": {"narrative": "Issa is the greatest bonsai master in all of Japan. With his special techniques, he is able to make trees stay small and perfectly shaped. His wife Kyomi is skilled in the arts of painting and weaving, so their lives are filled with beauty. But something is missing: they have no children. One day, they receive an unusual gift, an orphan bear cub... Since the Emperor forbids the keeping of wild animals, Issa uses bonsai techniques to prevent the tiny bear from growing. Kyomi wants Doukeshi to grow so he can run freely in the forest. But Issa loves him too much to let him go. Finally, the God of Bears visits Issa in a dream and shows him that the greatest love is allowing Doukeshi to return to his wild nature."}}

Issa is the greatest bonsai master in all of Japan. With his special techniques, he is able to make trees stay small and perfectly shaped. His wife Kyomi is skilled in the arts of painting and weaving, so their lives are filled with beauty. But something is missing: they have no children. One day, they receive an unusual gift, an orphan bear cub... Since the Emperor forbids the keeping of wild animals, Issa uses bonsai techniques to prevent the tiny bear from growing. Kyomi wants Doukeshi to grow so he can run freely in the forest. But Issa loves him too much to let him go. Finally, the God of Bears visits Issa in a dream and shows him that the greatest love is allowing Doukeshi to return to his wild nature.