Bear Necessity

I just finished reading a heartwarming, poignant book that I really enjoyed. The title is Bear Necessity and the author is James Gould-Bourn. The story is about Danny, a recently widowed father of an eleven year old boy. The boy, Willie, was in the car accident that killed Danny's wife. Since her death Willie has not spoken. Willie is using selective mutism to cope with his grief. Danny tries to help his son but is consumed with his own troubles. He has trouble keeping up with the bills with only one income and he just lost his job. He is two months behind on his rent and his landlord is threatening him with eviction. Desperate to earn money and unable to find any jobs he buys a panda costume and becomes a performer in the park. In the process he meets a string of colorful characters. Danny and his son, Willie, form a bond over the dancing panda act. Eventually Willie was always closer to his mother than his father. Now Willie and Danny form close emotional bonds. Not only is this story heart warming but also comical. I was sorry to come to the end of the book.